Steer clear of marijuana: dialysis patient fined $4K

George Bradshaw, a dialysis patient who was found with 43 grams of marijuana, was spared direct imprisonment when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court for sentencing.

Magistrate Ayanna Baptiste-DaBreo slapped the offender with a $4,000 fine, which is to be paid by May 31.

Bradshaw will serve six months in prison if he does not complete payment by the said date.

Magistrate Baptiste-DaBreo fined the 33-year-old in consideration of his medical condition.

She however warned him to steer clear of the illegal substance, and not to compound his condition.

During a court appearance late last year, Bradshaw – who said he has been using marijuana for a ‘long time’ – asked the court not to imprison him because he has to undergo dialysis weekly.

Effectively, dialysis is a procedure that purifies the body as a substitute to the normal functions of the kidney.

How he was nabbed

The court heard that police were on mobile patrol in Road Town when they spotted Bradshaw sitting on a motorcycle, and wearing a black backpack.

They noticed that Bradshaw was eyeing their vehicle and acting suspiciously.

The law enforcement officers approached the offender and conducted a search.

The court heard that they found a ‘large quantity’ of marijuana in his bag.

“Officer, that’s weed. That’s what I do for a living,” police claimed that Bradshaw told them.

However, Bradshaw told the court that he never made the aforementioned statement.