The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Court Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was put on six months probation after admitting to owning drugs for which his girlfriend had been arrested when police found the contraband in their home.

D’metri Cleare, 33, and Victoria Newbold, 33, both of Roberta Drive, Ridgeland Park, faced Magistrate Shaka Serville on a charge of possession of dangerous drugs.

On August 22, the two were arrested by authorities after a search of their residence under a warrant uncovered 2oz of Indian hemp.

Victoria Newbold pleaded not guilty to the offence; her boyfriend Cleare pleaded guilty to the charge and took full responsibility.

Cleare told the court that he was at work when his girlfriend — the mother of his child — was arrested. When he found out that Newbold was being detained, he immediately admitted to the police that he was the sole owner of the drugs.

It was for these reasons that Cleare begged the court to spare his girlfriend in the matter. In view of his request and with the assent of prosecutor Sergeant Deon Barr, Magistrate Seville acquitted Newbold for the offence and officially discharged her.

When asked by the magistrate if he had any previous matters before the court, Cleare admitted to a previous drug conviction from 2008 to 2009. For this offence the accused is said to have attended counselling.

Cleare attributed his relapse into drug use as a coping mechanism from grief over the death of his mother.

After taking into consideration that Cleare is the father of two young children, for whom he provides as a tiler and painter, the magistrate refrained from convicting him. Instead Magistrate Serville imposed a conditional discharge, placing him on probation. During this time Cleare is expected to attend counselling.

Should he default on these conditions he would face a $500 fine or one month in prison. Cleare is expected to return to court for a report on his counselling on February 10, 2023.