Magistrate Michael Laduat has imposed a six months jail sentence suspended for one year on Merkki Liam Jno Baptiste of Eggleston who pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to wear a mask.
Jno Baptiste was arrested and charged and then granted station bail at the Roseau Police Station after he refused to wear a mask telling the police that he was “asthmatic” and the mask was troubling his breathing.
The maximum penalty is $75.00 if found guilty.
Before sentencing him Magistrate Laduat admonished him telling him that it was for his own good especially since he is asthmatic.
“I’m helping you to wear the mask if you are asthmatic then stay home, but if you have to go out and also work then the law requires that you must wear a mask,” Magistrate Laduat told him.
He also explained to him that he now has a choice to decide what he wants to do because if he comes back before the court before one year then he will be jailed for six months.
“The 75 dollars that you would have paid, take it and buy enough mask for the entire year so that you will not find yourself in problems again,” Laduat told him.
“Go home and do as you are told and wear your mask to protect yourself and others.”