Cash for gold peddler sentencing delayed

The fate of a cash for gold peddler has been halted, as a senior parish judge requested time to verify the fines under the Metal and Jewelry (Control of Second Hand) Act, which he is charged.

 

George Findly, 28, pleaded guilty to dealing in second-hand jewelry without a license when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Monday.

 

However, prosecutors indicated to Senior Parish Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montague that contrary to section 14 of the Act, that Findly is said to have breached, he may be subjected to a fine not exceeding $200 or imprisonment not exceeding 12 months.

 

The Act states that an offender may be fined and confined. .

 

Judge Cole-Montague expressed that sentencing would be postponed for a later date, to check if there has been any recent amendment to the Act.

 

Checks to the Ministry of Justice website note the Act was last amended in 1946.

 

Investigators indicated to the court that Findly forms a group of four men who loiter outside the Half-Way-Tree Transport Center daily, bellowing “gold me a buy” to passers-by.

 

The court heard that the men pose a risk to the public as they aid in the robbery of individuals’ gold rings and chains in the vicinity, that is then sold to them who offer cash in return.

 

“You know there are some offences you can’t look at it as face value. I’ve said it often, there are some people who they walk on the road, who buy anything from anybody. I don’t believe in it, I can’t knock the entrepreneurial spirit, but let me tell you something, people go on the road and buy apple from some people and what you’re doing is providing a market for thieves,” the judge stressed.

 

Findly confessed to the court that while he does not possess a license, he decided to venture into the informal jewelry market, after being released from custody in December last year, where he was remanded on suspicion of murder.

 

“Is a work me looking Your Honour,” Findly shared with the judge.

 

He was remanded in custody until March 24 for sentencing.

 

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