Eight party crashers who jumped the fence instead of paying at the door ended up landing in court.
They appeared before Magistrate Joy-Ann Clarke in the District “C” Magistrates’ Court on Monday, charged with unlawfully entering, in a wanton manner, the We Ting J’ouvert event at Bushy Park race circuit, Bushy Park, St Philip, over the weekend while it was occupied by Mario Turton.
Each of them, ranging in age from 16 to 25 years, pleaded guilty to trespassing.
Security officers who were contracted to work at the fete organised by Turton were responsible for ensuring that people entered through the one designated entry point, and that each person be given a T-shirt and wristband.
However, those who decided to enter otherwise found themselves in the arms of the law.
Blackman told the court that in each instance, security officers received information about breaches of protocol. They went to other areas which were not official entry points and saw the young men climbing over the perimeter fence. Once they gained access to the venue, they ran towards where the patrons were, but were pursued, held and handed over to police.
The event began on Saturday night. By 2:48 a.m. on Sunday, two teenagers – Teshone Ricardo Omari King, 16, of 3rd Avenue Parris Gap, Westbury Road, and Demetri Orlando Rogers, 17, of Pickwick Gap, Westbury Road, both in St Michael, were the first to be caught.
Twenty-two minutes later, two others were held – 20-year-old Meleke Shaquon Chase-Mapp, of Buckingham Road, Bank Hall, and Matthew Daniel Blackman, 22, of Hinkson Gap, Hindsbury Road, both in St Michael.
At around 5:20 a.m., the last batch attempted to get into the party for free. They were 19-yearold
Dravid Antonio McConney, of Liverpool Road, Brittons Hill; Shakim Ricardo Thomas, 20, of Block 4 Dalkeith Woods; and Demario Reberto Moore, 25, of Breacon Road, Grazettes, all in St Michael. The last man who tried to stowaway was 20-year-old Renikko Akobi Lyte-Griffith, of Marchfield, St Philip.
Magistrate Clarke released them on $2 500 bail each and ordered their return to court on Friday to meet with a probation officer.
