Court confiscates Sando vendor's goods

SAN FERNANDO vendor who chalked up 12 convictions for selling on the pavement had her goods confiscated by a magistrate yesterday.

Edna Forte, 63, was also fined $200 by senior magistrate Jo-Ann Connor in the San Fernando magistrates’ court for each of the offences of pitching a stall, obstructing the footpath and exposing goods for sale.

Forte pleaded guilty to the charges, which arose from police confronting her on High Street yesterday. The clothing had to be brought in the tray of a police vehicle and Connor inspected them outside the courthouse. Forte then told the magistrate that selling on the pavements was her only means of livelihood for her, her children and her97-year-old mother.

Police prosecutor Cleyon Seedan then presented Connor with Forte's record of 12 convictions. “And all are for similar offences," he pointed out. "Pitching a stall, obstruction and illegal vending,” Connor told the woman.

The magistrate ordered the clothing confiscated and donated to charitable causes, but Forte, standing in the dock, began to plead: “This is my living. I owe people for the goods.”

Connor ordered the clothing donated to the Home for the Aged, Court Shamrock, Hope Centre and the Mother’s Union.