No trouble for at least 2 years, Freeman ordered

The Magistrate’s Court, John’s Hole, Tortola

Jazz Freeman was put on a two-year bond to keep the peace when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday for sentencing.

He was charged with possession of 4.7 grams of marijuana.

Instead of imposing a fine or a custodial sentence for the offence, Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards told Freeman that, if he keeps out of trouble for two years, he will not face any penalty.

If he is convicted of another crime during that period, he will be fined $2,000.

“Anytime you decide you want to run afoul of the law, make sure you have $2,000 on you because, if you come back [to court], I will be collecting the Government’s money,” Senior Magistrate Richards told the offender.

Freeman was put on the peace bond after the court noted that he has completed drug counselling.

He received good reviews from the counsellor.

Back in July last year, Freeman told the court that he stopped smoking when he got arrested.

The 20-year-old was busted in October 2015 when members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force on patrol in the vicinity of A-Value supermarket on Tortola saw him riding a motorcycle.

When Freeman spotted the police car, he made a U-turn and rode off.

His action alerted the police who gave chase and intercepted him.

A search of his backpack revealed a zip-lock bag containing marijuana.

When asked about the contents of the zip-lock bag, Freeman reportedly responded: “Weed officer; I did not know I had that in the bag.”

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