“I hope if I spend a small time I would be able to think and change” – Berbice man tells Court

Roshane Pellew on Friday begged the court to impose on him a one-year custodial sentence, and refused the offer of New Amsterdam Magistrate Michelle Mathias to enter a not-guilty plea on his behalf after telling her his story.
The 26-year-old East Canje carpenter, who was answering a charge detailing that he had had an illegal firearm in his possession, told the court that he had been at the wrong place at the wrong time, but is pleading guilty because the other persons involved are his mother and wife.
Referring to himself as the ‘black sheep’ of the family, he told the court, “I did a lot of wicked things in the past.”
Based on his explanation, the magistrate informed him that she would enter a not-guilty plea on his behalf.
“No! No! Please! I am guilty; I do not want to waste the court’s time. I hope if I spend a small time I will be able to think and change,” he begged. Pellew assured the court that, if given a small sentence, he would not venture to certain places after his release.

Police Prosecutor Corporal Vedish Jatthan, however, told the court that the police have a video recording of the suspect displaying the firearm in a social media post. Based on that post, the police conducted an ‘Eyes in the Sky’ operation which led to the confiscation of the firearm and magazine.
The prosecutor said that during the operation, the suspect was seen jumping through a window on the upper flat of a house. He landed on the ground and was making his way to a back fence when he was apprehended. A search was conducted on the premises and a black 9MM pistol with one magazine was found. Pellew was told of the offence committed and was arrested.
The prosecutor told the court that this is the second time that Pellew has been charge for having a firearm.
Magistrate Mathias asked Pellew if he had not learnt from his first mistake, and Pellew replied that he had been led astray by friends.
“I changed the company I had and don’t go to the places that I used to go, but like it is still the wrong company I have. I think if I get one year I will have time to think. I have a mother and a young wife…,” he said.
Pellew has been remanded to prison until July 5, 2024, when he would again be before the court for sentencing.