With no wheelchair access to the San Fernando Magistrates Court, double leg amputee Randolph Scott had to be lifted on wheelchair by police officers up a flight a steps to the court to answer a charge of cocaine possession.
When his name was called, his daughter Kamalitah Nurse, told Senior Magistrate Cherril-Anne Antoine that her father was unable to come up the stairs because he had no legs.
“I don’t know how he is going to reach upstairs,” his daughter lamented.
With no way to get Scott, 60, to the court, three police officers had to lift the wheelchair with him on it, up the steps. Scott then wheeled himself into the First Court. This spectacle spurred on complaints from onlookers who questioned why there were no facilities for disabled people.
As Scott entered the court he wasted no time as he anxiously indicated that he wanted to plead guilty, even before the charge was read to him.
Scott was arrested on Friday night after PC Wayne Antoine, of the Southern Division Task Force, searched his home and found 4.5 grammes of cocaine in a plastic bag in Scott’s pants pocket.
Scott admitted many years ago he had convictions for marijuana trafficking, possession of ammunition and cocaine possession.
He said he lost his legs in 2004 due to diabetes. His left leg has been amputated from below the knee and his right leg from the hip. Scott said he used to work at Nutrimix, but now receives public assistance.
Scott said he used cocaine as a way of easing the pain since conventional medication does not work. “A relief from stress. My foot is give me pain,” said Scott.
Given the highly addictive and dangerous nature of the drug, the magistrate imposed a fine $1,000 fine, but told him she will give him a lengthy time to pay the money.
However, Scott said he had the money to pay forthwith.
When Scott was leaving the court, he was heard complaining, “They bring people to court and just imagine they have to tote me upstairs. It have no place for disabled people.”
