AN 18-YEAR-OLD man has been given a “last opportunity” to stay out of prison after admitting drug and motoring offences.
The Magistrate’s Court heard that Rory George Ribeiro committed the offences when he was still 17 and now “wishes he could turn back the clock”.
Crown Advocate Luke Sette, prosecuting, said that States police had seen a Toyota Corolla speeding through St Peter’s Village on the evening of 28 December.
They contacted the registered owner of the car who said he had sold it to Ribeiro. However, Ribeiro had not notified vehicle authorities of the change of ownership, or notified them of a moped he also had.
Police searched his house the following day and found nearly 81 grams of cannabis and almost a gram of ecstasy.
Ribeiro pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possession of ecstasy, failing to give information to police – for refusing to give them the PIN number for his mobile phone – and failing to report change of ownership of the vehicles.
Advocate Mark Boothman, defending, accepted that custody was possible but argued for alternatives.
He said: “He is very young. In my submission, it is a big step for the court to impose Mr Ribeiro’s first custodial sentence at such a young age.
“He is remorseful for what he has done. He wishes he could turn back the clock.”
He added: “He has done community service and he has paid fines. A suspended sentence might act as a significant deterrent.”
However Assistant Magistrate Adam Clarke said: “The Youth Court has previously imposed probation orders and community service orders, and neither have prevented him from reoffending.”
He added: “The attitude displayed was not the behaviour of someone who has turned the corner or was remorseful.”
But he decided not to imprison Ribeiro, telling him: “I am prepared to give you one final opportunity. This is the last opportunity.”
Ribeiro was given 100 hours of community service and a 12-month probation order for possession of cannabis with intent to supply and a £300 fine for possession of ecstasy.
There was a £300 for failing to provide information to police and £600 for the motoring offences.
He was ordered to pay the fines at the rate of £100 per week.
