The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A 32-year-old man who obstructed an officer while she was executing her duties earlier this week was granted a conditional discharge yesterday.

Lavon Stuart was charged before Magistrate Shaka Serville with obstruction after he tried to stop police from arresting his niece at his residence on Saturday.

Prosecution told the court that around 9.30 pm that day, a team of officers were on patrol when they received information about a certain suspect.

As a result, officers went to King Street where the suspect was believed to be and upon arrival, the suspect was pointed out.

Officers then tried to arrest the suspect, but the defendant obstructed her from doing so which then led to his arrest.

Stuart was transported to the Central Police Station, where he admitted the offence during his interview with police.

After accepting the facts read by the prosecutor, Stuart, a father-of-two, told the court he was sorry for his actions.

However, he also explained he was caught off guard when officers entered his home.

“I was not aware that my sister let the officers inside in the house,” he told the court.

After instructing officers to leave the premises, Stuart said he pulled his niece toward him and told her “not to go anywhere” with police.

Asked if he was aware officers were searching for his niece, Stuart replied: “Yes.”

In response, Magistrate Serville said because of his actions, he was liable to spend up to six months in prison.

He also said the situation could have ended smoothly if he had just allowed officers to do their job.

“We can’t go stopping police officers from doing their job… That’s an absolute no, no,” the magistrate said.

She said in view of the circumstances surrounding the incident, she didn’t believe Stuart deserved to be convicted and subsequently placed him on six months’ probation.

Magistrate Serville also warned him if he failed to comply with the conditions of his release, he would be fined $500 or spend a month behind bars.

Also appearing in court was 22-year-old Brandon Watkins.

Watkins was arraigned before Magistrate Kendra Kelly on charges stemming from allegations that he acted unruly, resisted lawful arrest and assaulted a police officer on September 15.

According to the prosecution a police inspector reported that while she was leaving Super Wash on Nassau Street, she observed a vehicle pulling into the establishment blocking the driveway.

The court heard the officer used her horn and demanded for the driver to pull over in an attempt to leave the area.

However, the defendant exited the vehicle and approached her, waving his hands in her face.

Prosecutor Sgt Vernon Pyfrom said the defendant, who was warned about his behaviour, continued to act disorderly.

As a result, the police inspector informed Watkins he was under arrest, but in response, he turned away and walked off.

A minute later, additional officers arrived, and the accused was subsequently arrested and taken to a local police station.

The court also heard that a video capturing the incident is currently in police custody.

During yesterday’s hearing, Watkins pleaded guilty to the offences.

In mitigation, Watkin’s attorney noted that her client, a father-of-one, was extremely remorseful for his actions.

She also said the accused had lost his job because of the charges and was currently looking for other means of employment to support him and his growing family.

“He’s under a lot of stress…It’s been a difficult year,” the attorney said, while begging the court for leniency.

Magistrate Kelly said she didn’t want to make a judgment until she had a chance to review the video and as a result, sentencing was deferred until 10am today.