Beckford
Marlene McPherson, Outlook Writer
"SHAME AND guilt came over me and I realised that my life would be changed either to good or bad. I did not know which one it would be, but there was certainly going to be change." This was part of Micheal Beckford's testimony at the stakeholders workshop on 'Community Service Order, A Sentencing Option'. His audience was spellbound.
Michael Beckford was sentenced to community service after being convicted on a charge of ganja possession. He remains adamant. He is innocent. And hopes that in a few years this incident will be expunged from his record.
Outlook was present at the workshop and heard the details from Michael about how he came to be charged his community service and how it changed his life.
After working all morning with his apprentice in his tailoring establishment, he left for his family home. He went to the kitchen to prepare a meal for his stepchildren who would be coming from school soon. He was interrupted by a call at his gate. He did not know that this call heralded change.
"I went around and opened the door. I saw two females and a male who said they were the police. They explained to me that they had a search warrant, then they displayed it. I took it and examined it and noticed that my name was there so I invited them in. They searched for about two hours. I even gave them a chair to look in the roof and cautioned them not to break up my things."
"Come on man, he is clean," one of them said.
"Afterwards the female took up a match box off the dresser and opened it."
"What's this?" she inquired.
"You look inside so you should know what it is," I retorted
"This nuh ganja," she stated. "Me a go charge yu fi this, put on your shoes and come with me."
By this time her colleagues were outside.
"Knowing I was innocent I accompanied her to the station. The officer on duty looked at the match box and said 'yu can't charge him for that' (these were small pieces of sticks that ganja were scraped from)."
"What do you mean? Nuh weed it name?" she responded.
"With that she took the book, wrote it up and gave me my own bail and a court date.
"When my son heard he was sad and cried as he depended on me as he was still in high school. This, however, did not affect our healthy relationship, he still had faith in me.
"On the court day the officer who arrested me seemed surprised at my demeanour.
"I was charged with possession of ganja as I was the only person at the family dwelling at the time. I was tried and found guilty of a crime I did not commit. I held it in my mind that I was convicted because I was poor and could not afford a lawyer.
"I was to serve 120 hours doing community service. Shame and guilt overcame me.
"I was sent to the probation officer (Verona Gilzine) who arranged with me how and where I would do services. The school was chosen and this was not a pleasant choice, because it was my alma mater.
"However, Mrs. Gilzine was like a mother to me and her encouragement made me feel like a person, a man again.
"I took the letter to the principal and was assigned my duties. I worked very hard with humility and above all, not forgetting my manners. When I was asked to do anything I did it in good grace and I did it promptly."
His duties
He was assigned to caring for the lawn and given other miscellaneous tasks.
According to Delrose Roberts, the principal and his supervisor, Michael's work is beyond the call of duty.
"He is always punctual, very mannerly, he gets along with people and he has a positive attitude."
Micheal in his testimony stated, "I recalled helping to prepare for sports day, arranging bamboo to make sheds, covering them with tarpaulin and assisting generally with sports. I felt happy."
Outlook spoke to his probation officer Verona Gilzene.
"He did not accept the sentence at first," she said, "but I sat and explained the process to him. After two weeks he adjusted to the ancillary staff. He completed his time within one month between March and April 2003, he is an exemplary ex-orderee."
Michael continued, "When my hours were completed and I was home again in less than a month, I received a call from the principal asking me if I wanted to be a member of staff at the school, and I have been there since" (maintaining the lawn).
His life was not changed for the worse. In fact, he said, "I got an opportunity to speak to a large group concerning the Community Service Order. I feel honoured that I am able to be in a position to answer questions as a result of an experience I have gone through. And I do not have to look back.
"I have forgiven those who wronged me and I am thankful to the probation officer for her good advice, and to the school for helping me."
Now 38 years old, he is a father of two children, a professional tailor and a part-time farmer.
Advice from Michael
Try to be on the right side of the law and at all times be very careful of your associations.
