Speeding teen drug user given "last opportunity" to avoid custody

Thursday 12 October 2023

An 18-year-old who admitted motoring offences and drugs possession has been told he was getting a “last opportunity” to avoid prison.

The Magistrate’s Court heard that Rory George Ribeiro committed the most recent offences when he was still 17, but also had three previous drugs offences.

Crown Advocate Luke Sette, prosecuting, told the Court that police had seen a car speeding through St Peter’s Village on the evening of 28 December.

The registered owner of the speeding Toyota Corolla said he had sold it to Ribeiro, but Ribeiro had not notified vehicle authorities about the car or a moped also in his possession.

The following day, police also found nearly 81 grams of cannabis and almost a gram of ecstasy in Ribeiro's bedroom.

The teen pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possession of ecstasy, failing to give information to police – for refusing to give them them the code to access his mobile phone – and failing to report change of ownership of the vehicles.

Advocate Mark Boothman, defending, accepted Ribeiro could face custody but argued for alternative punishments.

Pictured: The case was heard in the Magistrate's Court.

He said: “He is very young. In my submission, it is a big step for the court to impose Mr Ribeiro’s first custodial sentence at such a young age.

“He is remorseful for what he has done. He wishes he could turn back the clock.”

He added: “He has done community service and he has paid fines. A suspended sentence might act as a significant deterrent.”

However, Assistant Magistrate Adam Clarke said: “The Youth Court has previously imposed probation orders and community service orders, and neither have prevented him from re-offending.”

He added: “The attitude displayed was not the behaviour of someone who has turned the corner or was remorseful.”

But he agreed not to imprison Ribeiro, saying: “I am prepared to give you one final opportunity. This is the last opportunity.”

The teen was given 100 hours of community service and a 12-month probation order for possession of cannabis with intent to supply, and a £300 fine for possession of ecstasy.

There was also a £300 fine for failing to provide information to police and £600 for the motoring offences.

Ribeiro was ordered to pay the £1,200 total at the rate of £100 per week