A Cocoyea construction worker who bought his driver’s permit for $500 was on Thursday fined $5,000. If Carter Skinner, 30, does not pay the fine in two weeks he will serve a 12-month jail sentence. Skinner pleaded guilty to two charges: uttering to a false document with intent to defraud and escaping lawful custody. He appeared in the San Fernando First Court before Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington, who read the charges to him.
The incident took place around 2.30 pm on Wednesday. Prosecutor Cleyon Seedan said the police complainant PC Khan and other officers were on mobile patrol along the San Fernando Bypass when they stopped a grey Mazda 323 driven by Skinner. On examining Skinner’s driver’s permit, Khan observed it consisted of certain irregularities.
When the officer told him of the offence he committed, the accused said: “Boss, I went to the Licensing Office and I pay a man $500 for it.” When the officer told him he was under arrest and held on to his hand, he started pulling away in a violent manner. He ran into some nearby bushes. With help from other officers, Khan searched the bushes and arrested him. In asking for a non-custodial sentence, attorney Shawn Teekasingh said the accused lived at the home of his elderly aunt and took care of her.
He said it was the first time his client found himself at fault with the law. Teekasingh said Skinner told him he ran because the police were intimidating towards him. Teekasingh said Skinner also told him he was engaged in a fight with the officers who also threatened to shoot him and “firearms were discharged.” As a result of the fight, he said his client received injuries to the face and other parts of his body.
On the escaping legal custody charge, Carter was reprimanded and discharged.