Man gets in hot water for not wearing mask

An unemployed man appeared in court on Wednesday facing three charges, one of which was failing to wear a mask in a public place.

Fifty-year-old Douglas Aurelien of Station Hill, St. Michael went before Magistrate Elwood Watts in the District “C” Magistrates’ Court.

He pleaded guilty that on February 23rd, he contravened Paragraph (14) Clause (a) of the Emergency Management (COVID-19) (Curfew) (No.4) Directive, 2021 by failing to wear a mask in a public place to wit Glendairy Gap, Station Hill, St. Michael.

Aurelien was not accompanied by an attorney. He told the court he thought wearing a mask was only a must if in the company of others. He was fined $250 to be paid on or before March 2nd, 2021 or 30 days in prison.

Aurelien additionally was charged on February 23rd with contravening COVID-19 Curfew Directive No. 4, which is for the period February 18th to 28th, by leaving his residence when not authorised to do so. He pleaded guilty to this and was reprimanded and discharged.

On that day, the police noticed the illegal water connection and called in the Barbados Water Authority (BWA). He gave a guilty plea for the charge dishonestly using water without due authority from the BWA.

The Prosecutor read that when the police went to the accused’s residence they realised a connector was attached before the water meter and a hose leading to the residence of the accused. The BWA was summoned and they gave information that the service was disconnected in 2009. Aurelien told the court, he connected the hose to get water.

Magistrate Watts said a fined $300 to be paid on or before March 2nd, 2021 or 14 days in prison would be given for this charge.(MG)