While some people were unappreciative of Keshorn Walcott’s bronze medal at the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a labourer had celebratory drinks with his friends.
So much so that Shane Ramcharan, 46, found himself before San Fernando Traffic Court Magistrate Taramatie Ramdass who slapped him with a $6,000 fine for drunk driving.
Ramcharan, 46, a labourer admitted that he had been drinking with his friends.
He was arrested on Sunday around midnight during an exercise by officers of the Highway Patrol, Debe, including Cpl Ramroop, PCs Roopchan, Davis, Paul and Noel.
While speaking with him, prosecutor Sgt Kassiram Lutchman said, the officers detected a strong scent of alcohol and administrated the breathalyser tests on him which he failed. He was over the 35 microgramme legal limit by 44 microgrammes.
When asked for an explanation for his actions, Ramcharan told the magistrate: “We were celebrating Keshorn Walcott’s javelin throw.”
The magistrate said she had no problem with him celebrating with his friends but he ought to have known drinking and driving were illegal.
Ramcharan said he was aware of that but he was unaware that he was above the legal limit since “I was feeling normal.”
“Next time you want to celebrate stay home and do that,” said the magistrate as she fined him.
She allowed him two months to pay the fine but warned him if he failed to pay the money he would be arrested and automatically sent to prison to serve his one-year term.
She advised Ramcharan to borrow the money from someone if he was unable to pay it in the stipulated time.