A St Catherine man has been fined a total of $158,000 after pleading guilty to multiple traffic offences and attempting to bribe a police officer.
Gilzene Steele admitted in the St Catherine Parish Court on Wednesday to driving without a driver’s licence, driving without insurance, riding a motorcycle without a helmet, and attempting to bribe a police officer.
Senior Parish Court Judge Desiree Alleyne imposed the following fines:
- $30,000 or 10 days’ imprisonment for driving without a driver’s licence.
- $20,000 or 14 days’ imprisonment for driving without insurance.
- $8,000 or three days’ imprisonment for riding without a helmet.
- $100,000 for attempting to bribe a police officer.
Steele was given until July 24 to pay the fines.
During the hearing, Steele told the court he believed his learner’s permit allowed him to legally operate the motorcycle. However, the judge explained that a learner’s permit does not authorise a person to ride a motorcycle without meeting the legal requirements.
Explaining the bribery charge, Steele admitted, “Your Honour, one police officer was writing the ticket, so mi tell di next one seh mi have $3,000.”
The court heard that officers attached to the Green Acres Police Station were conducting traffic operations when they stopped Steele, who was riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
Further checks revealed that he did not have a valid driver’s licence and was therefore also uninsured.
While officers were issuing the traffic tickets, Steele allegedly offered one officer $3,000 in an attempt to avoid prosecution. He was immediately arrested and subsequently charged.
Steele appeared before the court without legal representation.
Police Investigating Clarendon Double Murder After Two Men Found Dead in Burnt-Out Vehicle
