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Magistrate takes 'wall sitter' to task

Magistrate: Archibald Warner

A Senior Magistrate called for parents to take more responsibility for their children in Court yesterday.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner was commenting during the case of Sanchey Kijuan Grant who pleaded guilty to obstructing officers while in the course of duty.

Police had received a tip on Tuesday evening around 5 p.m. that a male wearing a white shirt, a red scarf and jeans was in possession of a gun in the Friswell Road, Pembroke area.

When they arrived the officers spotted Grant wearing similar clothing sitting on a wall in the Middle Terrace area of Friswell's Road.

However, when they approached him and asked for his information, Grant lied about his date of birth, name and address.

Police arrested the 17-year-old when they realised he was lying and took him to the Hamilton Police Station.

The North Shore Road, Hamilton Parish youth was also currently on probation for a suspended sentence he received for possession of a bladed article.

Yesterday, Mr. Warner extended his probation and warned that parents needed to take their responsibility more seriously.

He said: "Why was he in that area? What's he doing standing on a wall in that area? Let's keep it (the discussion) away from the black male. I cannot see what colour he is.

"He was given a break last time with a bladed article, which carries a mandatory prison sentence. Not withstanding claims, there is a lack of parental direction here or at least insufficient direction.

"Mr. Scott said there nothing wrong with sitting on the wall but we all know acts like this and behaviour like this comes from sitting on the wall.

"It's the duty of the parents to stop them from sitting on the wall. Just because they are on probation the responsibility doesn't end."

Grant's lawyer, Larry Scott, however, argued that his client was pursuing his education and that his suspended sentence should not be activated because obstruction was not a serious offence.

He added: "It's a very silly thing for young Sanchey to do. He's a school boy at the Educational Centre. He was simply in an area that something suspicious happened. He could have been standing on a wall outside Magistrates' Court.

"He pleaded guilty to it. This is not a serious offence at all and he has admitted that it was the wrong thing to do to give a wrong name.

"He has not breached his probation and Court services said he has been compliant."

Warning Grant that he should respect the courts and not return or he would have to consider activating his suspended sentence.

Mr. Warner then extended the 17-year-old's probation and required Grant to attend the Mirrors programme and any other rehabilitative programmes recommended.

Grant will also be expected back in court in six weeks for a review.