Man Fined for Crack Pipe, Remanded Over Resisting Arrest Charge

Twenty-one-year-old Shane Yearwood, described as a Southside resident with no fixed address, appeared before Magistrate Ludlow Black today to answer to charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting lawful arrest.  Yearwood pleaded guilty to possession of utensils for smoking a controlled drug, specifically a silver metal pipe measuring 2.5 centimeters in length, allegedly found in his possession at the Queen Street Police Station on Saturday, May 3. The pipe is believed to be used for smoking crack cocaine.  However, Yearwood pleaded not guilty to the second charge of resisting arrest.  His not guilty plea was based on a technicality by way of the name of the arresting officer.  Magistrate Black clarified that the inquiry pertained specifically to whether Yearwood had resisted arrest. Yearwood denied doing so, leading Magistrate Black to enter an equivocal plea of not guilty on his behalf for the charge of resisting arrest.  The Crown did not object to bail for the resisting arrest charge, and Yearwood was offered bail in the sum of $500 plus one surety of the same amount. Unfortunately, he was unable to meet the bail conditions and was remanded into custody at the Belize Central Prison until bail can be secured.  For the charge of possession of the crack pipe, Yearwood was fined $200 plus a $5.00 cost of court. He was given until May 30, to pay the total fine of $205. Failure to pay will result in a three-month prison sentence.  Yearwood’s next court date for the charge of resisting arrest is adjourned until July 2.