WEDNESDAY, MAY 2: A Magistrate told a college student to sell her bike and catch the bus if she wants to stay out of jail for driving while disqualified.
Jalisa Vincent, 20, admitted riding while disqualified and using a handheld device when she was stopped at the roundabout of Montpelier Road and Parsons Road.
The court heard this is second conviction for both offences as she last appeared in court in February.
She told the court she rode her bike because she had finally got a job and needed transportation to get there.
But Senior Magistrate Warner told her a second conviction could warrant a jail term.
“This time she is silly enough not only to ride a bike while disqualified, but also to use a handheld device.”
Asked why she shouldn’t be locked up, Vincent said she would cry in her jail cell.
She also said she wanted to graduate from her art and design programme at Bermuda College.
Vincent told the court she lives in Somerset with her grandmother and is estranged from her parents.
Mr Warner said: “I warned you last time, you remember and you are a college student.
‘That implies not only are you developing your particular discipline, but also developing your life skills, judgement and what have you.
“Notwithstanding your age, you’re in a better position to make better judgments than someone who hasn’t got the opportunities that you have got.”
Asked if she thinks the court is a joke, Vincent said no.
Mr Warner said she was treating it as a joke.
He continued: “Don’t come back in this court again for traffic offences.
“Sell the bike and catch the bus.
“I’m going to allow you to continue your education.
‘That’s the only reason.”
Vincent was fined $200 for each count and is disqualified until 2014.
She was also given five demerit points.