The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was told by the Court of Appeal yesterday to “go and sin no more” after they cut in half his four-year sentence for possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

James Taylor, appeared in the appellate court with his lawyer, Roger Minnis, to argue that the mandatory minimum sentence of four years handed down to him in November 2013 was excessive and disproportionate to the amount of drugs involved in the matter.

Crown respondent Linda Evans did not oppose the appeal for the sentence to be reduced considering the small amount of drugs (five pounds of marijuana) involved and that Taylor had pleaded guilty to the charge at the first opportunity.

“It was his first offence?” Justice Anita Allen then asked Mr Minnis.

The lawyer replied that it was not his first offence, but added that his client’s previous convictions had already been spent, dating back to 11 years.

Justices Allen, Stanley John and Abdulai Conteh, having considered the submissions from both sides, reduced Taylor’s sentence to two years from the date of conviction, November 23, 2013.

“Go and sin no more! Go and sin no more! This is your lucky day, Mr Taylor,” Justice Allen told the appellant. “ Yes, ma’am,” he replied.

“Don’t be blessed by anything you see in your yard that looks like marijuana,” Justice Conteh added. Taylor nodded.

“Do you know what week this is?” Justice John asked Taylor. “Holy Week,” Taylor answered.