Crack addict shows up for court still high

A confessed drug addict admitted that he took crack cocaine mere hours before his first appearance in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.

Robin Butler was in court to answer to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, following allegations that he hit his sister. His constant, aggressive sniffing drew the attention of Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque, who quizzed if Butler was using drugs.

"That don't sound right. That don't sound like someone with a cold," the senior jurist said, followed by Butler's admission of drug use.

"I don't think you are fit to be on the road. When you're on the road, you have access. I don't want you get no more crack. I am going to let the police take you in custody because I want you clean from crack," Cole-Montaque indicated. Butler's 28-year-old daughter also attended court and stood outside of the prisoner's dock, giving moral support for her father. She explained that she attended court to have her father receive help for his addiction.

It was shared in the court that there was an altercation between Butler and his sister, which became physical. The court heard that Butler spat in her face and used a piece of metal to hit her.

"I'm just tired. I spend my own money, sent him to rehab. I spent my own money, since the age of 19 and I am carrying it. I bought him here already and I've begged for him, begged him to get the treatment," the complainant related to the judge.

But Butler asked not be taken into custody, stressing that he has artwork and obligations to meet.

"I am begging some leniency," Butler said, adding that he will get clean.

""We need to get you away from the crack. I don't know which lock-up unnu going put him in, but it is for the best at this time," the senior jurist said, explaining that Butler needed a period of reset for at least four weeks.

"Oh Lord, I'm not going to survive," Butler bemoaned.

He was remanded in custody until April 24, when he is to return to court for the Drug Treatment Court. It is a specialised court aimed at dealing with treatment, rather than trial of persons who are addicted to drugs.