Guilty of knife, but not phone - Prisoner fights contraband charge

The Yuletide and New Year celebrations will miss a 27-year-old St Catherine resident, as he was remanded in custody pending the start of his January trial.

Cashan Saunders indicated his intention to prove his innocence on one count of introducing contraband into a correctional facility when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court. It is alleged that on September 25, during cell searches at the Half-Way Tree Police Station lock-ups - where Saunders is being detained - a cell phone was found in a makeshift pillow. A ratchet knife was tied to his leg.

"Your Honour, I am guilty for the knife but the phone is not mine," Saunders explained, while pleading guilty to being in possession of an offensive weapon to Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell.

"We searched the area where he was sleeping and the phone was found in the sewn pillow," the investigator shared.

"Okay, set this matter for trial then," the senior jurist said.

Saunders, who has another matter before the court, was remanded in custody until January 30, 2025.