Man tries to bribe cop with $500

A man was fined $50,000 yesterday for trying to bribe a police officer with $500.

Dalvin Wauchope pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court. The court heard that Wauchope and two men were travelling in a motor vehicle on Hope Road, when police conducting operations signalled them to stop. It is reported that they were on the road after the COVID-19 curfew time. It is reported that Wauchope tried to bribe the police with $500 to escape the charge. Senior Parish Court Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montague was in a state of disbelief when she heard the allegations.

In his defence, he provided an explanation that he received a call that his child was sick and he only had $500 in his possession at the time the car was stopped by the police.

"A never really bribe me a bribe the police. Tru me in the car and a that me have at the time them stop the taxi man," he said. It was also reported that he offered the bribe to the cop, while a senior superintendent of police was at the location.

Before handing down her judgement, Cole-Montague commended Wauchope for his guilty plea on the first occasion. He was then fined $50,000 or six-months imprisonment and a fingerprint order was made.