Court frees West End drug offender after 5 months on remand

A 27-year-old West End man was freed on Tuesday after being on remand since May 23 for drugs and other offences.

Jamoy Estridge, a construction worker, was charged for being in possession of 42 grams of cannabis and five grams of cocaine in September last year.

He was also charged months later with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and refusing to give his name and address.

Estridge pleaded guilty to all charges during a recent court appearance.

Following the plea, Magistrate Shawn Innocent sentenced him to one month at Her Majesty’s Prison for each of the charges and ordered that the sentences run concurrently (or side by side) from the first date of his remand.

Considering that Estridge already spent five months in lockup, Magistrate Innocent ordered his immediate release.

What the court heard happened 

It is reported that the 42 grams of cannabis and five grams of cocaine were found in a knapsack that Estridge was carrying when he was accosted during a stop-and-search in West End on September 17 last year.

When the cocaine was recovered from a compartment of his knapsack, the offender reportedly told police: “I don’t know what that is.”

But, when the cannabis was recovered during a further search, Estridge reportedly said: “Officer, this is mine. It is my smoke.”

Estridge was subsequently arrested, charged, and later granted bail.

And on February 18 this year, police were on mobile patrol at Capoon’s Bay when they were alerted to the scent of burning cannabis in the vicinity of a large tree in the community.

When they approached the area, several persons including Estridge were observed there. They were subsequently subjected to a police search.

Nothing illegal was found on the offender. But, when he was asked for his name, Estridge gave police a fake name, the court heard.

The incident escalated and the offender reportedly began to resist arrest.

As a consequence, officers discharged a tazer to subdue him.

Matters dismissed

Estridge, in the meantime, was also facing charges of common assault and using threatening language but those matters were dismissed for want of prosecution.

It was alleged that on April 13 last year, Estridge unlawfully assaulted a man at Capoon’s Bay where he told him: “I got something coming for you soon, don’t worry.”