Marshall to pay $40,000 or spend three years in jail

Time is of the essence for Nioka Marshall, as she has to come up with $40,000 in one month or stand the risk of going to jail for three years.{{more}}

Chief Magistrate Sonya Young handed down the hefty financial penalty on Tuesday at the Serious Offences Court after Marshall had pleaded guilty to possession of 58.3 pounds of marijuana on October 6, 2007, at 1.45 pm.

In a plea of mitigation by defence counsel Ronald Marks, he told the court that his client was remorseful and admitted that she acted stupidly. Marks further stated that Marshall had learnt from her mistakes to the point she has turned her life around and is now gainfully employed as a caregiver of a young child.

In addition to the fine, Marshall was ordered to serve three months community service on Fridays and Saturdays every other week.(KW)