For three years, Shamar O’Brian Blackman managed to elude court marshals.
But after an appearance in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court and the Bridgetown Traffic Court on Thursday, Blackman can now be found at HMP Dodds.
Blackman, 26, a conductor, of London Bourne Towers, Bay Street, St Michael, was brought to court on 11 warrants of non-appearance after he failed to appear in both courts.
He was charged, in the criminal court, with engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl on November 23, 2009.
“When I came to court they tell me they ain’t had my name on the paper. So I went to the door and they say they can’t find my name, so they gave me a number to call,” he said.
“I wonder if that was the same reason he gave to your brother Magistrate Bannister,” said prosecutor Sergeant Neville Reid, explaining that Blackman had been brought to the Traffic Court on ten warrants of arrest.
“But that is because I move from London Bourne Towers and the marshals couldn’t find me,” Blackman explained.
Magistrate Douglas Frederick, who noted Blackman appeared to have a history of failing to attend court, pointed to a past incident where he was ordered to pay court cost.
The magistrate declared he would be willing to allow Blackman to remain on bail, but the surety must be warned about the dangers associated with remaining as such.
But the woman came and said she was no longer interested in signing Blackman’s bail. As a result, the accused was remanded to HMP Dodds until April 12.
Earlier that day, Blackman had appeared in the Traffic Court, where he was charged with and pleaded guilty to failing to give his name and address to a lawman; having excess passengers and not wearing his badge.
Magistrate Graveney Bannister fined him $250 forthwith or 25 days in prison for failing to give his name; $750 forthwith or 75 days for the excess passengers and convicted, reprimanded and discharged him for the badge.
Blackman was also fined $250 forthwith or 25 days for not having a badge on September 24, 2014, and $800 forthwith or 80 days for having 15 excess passengers on August 14, 2014.
“My money short, so I will have to do the time,” he said.
The magistrate further convicted, reprimanded and discharged him for two counts of acting as a conductor when he was not the holder of a licence; two counts of not wearing a badge and the charge that he did not take all reasonable preparations to ensure that every means was provided for indicating that the route, fares and destination were clearly and correctly displayed. (HLE)
