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by pltm
(PLTM) - Operating under the wrong impression, Donte Blair of Purcell Estate was formally arrested and charged on two counts of criminal damage. His actions cost him a fine of $1,078.
In an appearance before the Magistrate’s Court on November 4, Blair pleaded guilty in relation to the incident where he destroyed two locks. He was ordered to pay $500 for each charge, in addition to compensation for the locks at a cost of $75 and $3.
He was granted until January 31st 2017 to pay the total fine or serve 30 days in prison.
While in mitigation, Blair informed the court that he was under the wrong impression of whether or not a locked electricity meter was his.
He noted that while renting an apartment in Purcell Estate, his electricity meter box was always open, until one day he saw it locked and forcibly removed it. He added that he later found out the box was not his.
Blair told the court the damage to the other lock, which belongs to the Water and Sewage Department, at a costs of $75, was a mistake.
As outlined by the crown, on April 22, 2016, the accused and his landlord were back and forth about bills and rent, which caused her [landlord] to lock her water and electricity meter. Later that day, she returned to see the locks damaged.
The court heard that the accused was seen on CCTV footage approaching the box with a cutter in his hand.
Under police questioning, Blair told the officers, “He's paying for the apartment and she put a lock on the water meter.” He also admitted to cutting the meter because he wanted access to water.
Magistrate Ayanna Baptiste-Dabreo used his appearance as an opportunity to plead Blair on a separate matter, which occurred on August 16.
He pleaded not guilty to assault on police and threatening language, but guilty to a charge of possession of a controlled drug.
The particulars of this matter, as disclosed by the crown, outlined that the accused, while in Purcell Estate, was spotted with a joint in his hand by an officer of the RVIPF.
When approached, the officer cautioned the accused and proceeded to confiscate the joint, but was assaulted by Blair, who knocked his hand away.
Blair allegedly told the officer, “Touch me, I going to burst you head with a baseball bat.”
He was offered bail of $10,000 with one surety and was ordered to attend drug treatment. He will make another appearance on February 3 for this offense.
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