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Grand Bahama man accused over drugs

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A GRAND Bahama man was charged with possession of dangerous drugs this week in Freeport.

Brandon Grant, 26, appeared before Magistrate LaQuay Laing accused of possessing Indian hemp on February 6.

Prosecutor Sergeant Calsey Arthur told the court Grant was found with four grams of marijuana valued at $20. He did not object to bail.

Magistrate Laing granted Grant $500 bail with one surety and adjourned the matter to May 4.

In other court news, a Freeport man was charged with stealing, causing damage, assaulting a police officer, disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest.

It is alleged that on February 6, Paul Santiague, concerned with another, stole a black Champion generator, the property of Anthony Taylor. It is also alleged that on February 8, he intentionally caused material damage to a black cell phone, allegedly assaulted a police officer while in the execution of his duties, behaved in a disorderly manner, used obscene language to the annoyance of the police officer, and resisted arrest.

Santiague pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

Prosecutor Sergeant Arthur did not object to bail. Magistrate Laing granted Santiague $2,000 bail with two sureties. The matter was adjourned to May 4.

In a separate matter, Kimia Strachan, 20, of Cottonball Lane, Freeport, pleaded guilty to the charges of causing harm and causing damage.

Strachan admitted to causing harm to Timonique Rolle on February 5. According to the particulars, the virtual complainant went to CID around 11.25pm on the date in question. She reported at about 9pm, while at a house in Hudson Estates, she got into a verbal altercation with the defendant, who beat her about the body.

She also reported her prescription glasses, valued at $487, were broken during the altercation. Police arrested Strachan, who admitted to the offence.

Asked by the judge if she was employed or in school, Strachan said she was looking for a job. She explained the situation occurred after a misunderstanding between the complainant and her older sister, whom she was defending.

The magistrate explained to Strachan a police record could ruin her job prospects or even getting a travel visa.

On the causing harm conviction, he granted her a conditional discharge and ordered her to be of good behaviour for three months. If she breaches the condition, she will be convicted and fined $500 or one month in prison.

He also granted a conditional discharge on the causing damage conviction. He ordered Strachan to pay $500 compensation to the virtual complainant to repair her prescription glasses by February 26. If she doesn’t pay, she will be convicted and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine or three months in prison.

Magistrate Laing told Strachan if she complies with the conditions, he will grant her an absolute discharge in both matters. He adjourned the matters for review on May 10 for the first count and February 26 for the second count.

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