A man caught dumping garbage in a public area in Debe by an off-duty policeman has been ordered to do 50 hours of community service.
In default, Antonio Soogrim, 20, will have to pay a $1,500 fine or serve three months in jail.
“This a serious offence,” Magistrate Kerianne Byer told Soogrim when he pleaded guilty in the San Fernando Fifth Court.
Soogrim, of La Romaine, spent the night in the San Fernando Police Station after he was arrested and charged by Sgt Krishna Bedassie. The police prosecutor in the San Fernando Fourth Magistrates Court.
The court heard that on a public place, Gandhi Village, Debe, Soogrim dropped off five bags filled with bottles, cardboard, paper and empty cans.
Prosecutor Sgt Ian Sylvon said at around 7.05 pm, Bedassie was heading home along the M2 Ring Road when he saw a vehicle parked on the side the road and saw Soogrim taking out large garbage bags from the trunk and throwing them on the ground.
When he was confronted by the officer, Soogrim said: “There is no sign here and people accustom throwing garbage here.”
The officer observed that there were 12 more large garbage bags in the trunk of Soogrim’s vehicle.
“My mistake. I was wrong,” said Soogrim who told the magistrate he saw other people throwing garbage in that area.
The Magistrate noted that the offence carries a maximum fine of $4,000 or imprisonment of six months. She told Soogrim not because people dumped garbage in a particular place meant he should do the same.
Soogrim has to report to the Probation Office to ascertain the terms of his community service.
Once he completes the community service by June 26, next year, he will not have to pay the fine and could apply for nullification of the conviction.
