A teenager who was found with a stolen car was convicted and fined over $3,000 when he appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Dexter Wason yesterday.
Jahteeam Smith, 19, of Cassada Gardens pleaded guilty to three of four charges for offences which occurred on January 24.
Smith admitted to driving without a licence and insurance and driving without the owner’s consent.
For breaching the country’s traffic regulations, the young construction worker was restricted from obtaining a driver’s licence for 90 days for not having a licence. Additionally, he was fined $2,500 for driving without insurance which he has 30 days to pay or he will be jailed for the same time period. For driving without the owner’s consent, Smith was ordered to pay $1,000 or face jail time for 14 days.
Magistrate Wason had indicated his frustration with these types of offences in which young men, especially, are stealing people’s vehicles. He noted that it has become extremely prevalent, almost like a pandemic.
“I am minded to send him to prison. I feel very strongly about it,” Wason said.
Smith was stopped by the police on a by-road in St Johnston’s Village while on his way to pick up his girlfriend.
He reportedly borrowed the vehicle from a friend to make the run. However, the vehicle had been stolen from the Everyday Service Station on Independence Drive on Sunday, January 12, about 11:30 pm.
The victim had gone to the service station to get gas, but decided to get something, leaving his vehicle parked nearby. When he returned his vehicle was missing and he made a report to the police.
When Smith was stopped, he was in the company of another young man and they were taken into custody at St John’s Police Station while the stolen car was transported to Police Headquarters.
