The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN who escaped police custody in Bimini after being arrested in connection with last weekend’s $411,000 marijuana seizure pleaded guilty to the “escaping” charge when arraigned in Magistrate’s Court.

However, when called on to plea to conspiracy to possession dangerous drugs with intent to supply and possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, 40-year-old Livingston Solomon of Grand Bahama said, “I was only catching a ride”, entering not guilty pleas to both drug allegations. Solomon escaped Alice Town Police Station on October 7 after he and two others were arrested the previous day.

Magistrate Andrew Forbes sentenced Solomon to six months at Her Majesty’s Prison for the offence after convicting him.

His trial on the drug allegations is scheduled for March 24, 2014.

Another man was arraigned before Magistrate Forbes for escaping police custody on October 7.

Gavargo Saunders, 22, of Alice Town pleaded guilty to escaping to prevent the execution of the law.

Asked to explain himself, Saunders said he had been in police custody for 40 hours without being told why he was arrested. He also said he was not allowed to use a rest room.

When Magistrate Forbes asked the man if these reasons justified his escape, Saunders said, “I understand it was wrong.”

The magistrate, having taken into account that Saunders had no previous convictions, sentenced the Biminite to six months imprisonment.