Bartender arrested first day on the job

A Corporate Area woman who was employed as a bartender is prepared to go to trial to prove her innocence, after she was charged with stealing light and being in possession of illegally imported cigarettes.

"Me just get the job, just walk in the place, me not even put down me bag when the police dem come," the accused Tenesia Watson explained on Tuesday. Wilson, who appeared before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, pleaded not guilty to abstracting electricity, possession of uncustomed goods, dealing in ganja and selling spirit without licence. It is alleged that police searched the premises where Wilson was and noticed irregularities. The premises is alleged to be a bar and Wilson said she was employed the same day of the incident.

"Me just get the work, Your Honour, I don't know nothing about it," the woman maintained when quizzed by Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque.

Prosecutors contend that as police searched the premises, Wilson said 'Yuh can search offica 'cause nuh more nuh deh deh," when the police discovered the fake cigarettes. Shortly after discovering the contraband, the police found a blue container with vegetable matter resembling ganja.

The matter was adjourned until March 20, to prepare for trial. A subpoena was issued for the investigating officer.

- T.T.