UWI takes gardener to court

A gardener narrowly avoided having a criminal record after he was charged for being in a restricted area at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus.

The man, visibly relieved as he exited the court, let out a sigh and declared, "In yah nah see me back, Your Honour." According to the prosecutor, the gardener was found inside the engineering lab, a designated restricted area. Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell appeared perplexed at the severity of the charge.

"Was he building a nuclear bomb?" Burrell quipped. The prosecutor explained that the charge was laid under Section 6(1) of The University of the West Indies Mona Security Act, which states, " A person shall not enter or remain in a restricted area unless that person is a member of staff who works in that restricted area, a security officer on duty, or is so authorised by the Committee."

The gardener's lawyer argued that his client's presence in the restricted area was unintentional.

"He was put there by a lecturer. What is happening is that the lecturer and the university are at odds," the lawyer explained. Despite this defence, Burrell pointed out the strictness of the legislation.

"Her [the lecturer] actions cannot trump the legislative provisions. It is strict liability," he said.

The judge further empathised with the gardener, acknowledging the power dynamics on the campus.

"On the university campus, lecturers are demigods. So, if a lecturer gives a gentleman like this instructions, I am minded to think that maybe he does not even know what's going on," she reasoned.

Ultimately, the gardener pleaded guilty to being in a restricted area but was admonished and discharged. Burrell ensured the defendant understood the importance of restricted areas and the legal implications of accessing them without proper authorisation.