Man fined for obstructing marshals

His obstruction of marshals who were executing an ejectment order at a St Michael home has left an East Point, St Philip man with $1500 in fines. Darren Manningham Burgess, 39, appeared before Magistrate Manila Renee and pleaded guilty to obstructing Cheryl-Ann Francis and Cregg Mayers, marshals in the performance of their functions, on August 27. Prosecutor Sergeant Kenmore Phillips told the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court No. 2 that the complainants were at a home executing a court-issued ejectment order when Burgess arrived. He spoke to the person against whom the court order had been issued, then barged in and approached the marshals, shouting at them and preventing them from carrying out their duties. Noting that several of Burgess’ 15 previous convictions were of a similar nature, Magistrate Renee said: “You have a history of assaulting police officers and authority figures. You need to learn to behave yourself.” She fined him $750 on each charge and instructed him to pay the fines within one month or face two months in prison. The sentences are to run concurrently. (JB)