Magistrate Yasmine Clarke imposed the fine on Martin on Tuesday after he pleaded not guilty to possessing marijuana and possession with intent to supply.  He committed the offence on March 1, 2012 at 9.30 p.m.
If Martin does not pay the fine within six months, he will stay in prison for 12 months.  He was found guilty of committing both offences but was sentenced for being found guilty with possession of marijuana with intent to supply.
Martin’s antecedents produced in court revealed that he has been in prison before and has had previous convictions for using indecent language, for larceny and for possession of marijuana.
In his evidence,  Corporal Carl Greaux, who is attached to the Delta Squad told the court that he and other police officers were patrolling Pinneys Beach near Sunshine’s Bar when he saw Martin pushing his hand inside his pants as if he was hiding something.  Greaux flashed a light on Martin and shouted, “Police!”  Martin was seven feet from the other officers. On seeing Greaux, Martin ran towards the direction of the sea.  Greaux and police officers chased him and caught up with him.
Just before they caught him, he threw the marijuana in the sea.  The marijuana floated. Greaux removed his boots and walked close to where the marijuana had been tossed.  The marijuana was floating and the waves enabled him to pick it up.
Martin maintained that there was a large crowd when officers spotted him and that many people ran away.  He denied that the floating marijuana was found on him but admitted smoking a “joint” on the material day and sharing it with a friend. He said he did not run away as he was talking to his girl on the phone.  He alleged that police officers had beaten him.
His witness, Horatio Archibald, told the court that Martin had on the material night gone off for 15 minutes.  He did not see him come back.  He saw Martin when the police were arresting him (Martin). Archibald told the court that Martin had not given him a “joint.”
Prior to sentencing Martin, Magistrate Yasmine Clarke told Martin, “Your witness did not help you.  You are saying you were talking to your girlfriend.  You said you had pants that had no pockets.  The police officer said you had your hand on your pants. You said there were a lot of people on the beach.  The police officer is denying this. I do not believe officers had nothing against you.  You are free to bring a charge against police beating you.”
In the same court, Patrice Thompson was fined EC$1, 500 for being found in possession of marijuana. He committed the offence on March 16, 2012. According to the Police Prosecutor, Thompson who pleaded guilty had come out of a boat when police on patrol saw him.  He was carrying two transparent bags. The content in the bags was found to be marijuana.  He was convicted of possession of marijuana but was not sentenced for the charge of intent to supply.
Deon Daniel (not owner of Nelson’s Springs) was fined EC$4, 000 for possession of marijuana. He pleaded guilty of committing the offence on March 16, 2012.  Police on patrol saw him at the pier carrying a white bag.  In it was a cookie box that had a plastic paper containing 83.0 grams of marijuana.
Junior Taylor was fined EC$800 for being found guilty of possession of marijuana. He committed the offence on Monday, March 12th in Bath Village.