Popular Palisadoes vendor fined

For those travelling along the Palisadoes Strip in Kingston, it is almost impossible not to notice the fresh fruits stall, lined with coconuts and pineapples, positioned neatly along the roadway.

But the proprietor of the popular spot, Adrian Wilson, found himself before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Thursday, after he was charged by police officers for exposing goods for sale.

"Oh, it's you!" said Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell, recognising the man from the popular hot spot.

"Yes, Your Honour, it is me. I have been there for 19 years," Wilson responded.

The vendor pleaded guilty to the offence, and explained that he was given permission by the owner of Gun Boat Beach, where his stall is located, to ply his trade.

"I have been to KSAC [Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation] many times. I register my business and I still get the runaround," he shared further.

"Well, you have to go back there and explain to them that police will keep locking you up," Burrell instructed, encouraging Wilson to apply for his hawker and pedlars licence. Hawkers and Pedlars Act (1973) states that "it shall not be lawful for any hawker, pedlar, or other person, to go from place to place, or from house to house, to sell any goods, wares, or merchandise, or other articles of traffic (except such as are hereinafter excepted) unless such hawker, pedlar, or other person shall have a licence, as required by this Act."

Wilson was fined $2,000 or 10 days imprisonment.