A TAXI DRIVER who arrived in court on Thursday said she had no alternative but to attempt to bribe a police officer in order to keep her car.
The accused, Carol Thomas, 49, pleaded guilty with explanation when she appeared before Resident Magistrate Martin Gayle in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's court.
Desperate mother
Thomas said that her taxi is her only source of income which she uses to support her mentally-challenged son.
She said that on the day of the incident while she had three passengers in her vehicle, she was stopped by the police. "They asked me to produce the papers for the vehicle and I said I did not have them on me, but if I could go for them, and is that time I offer to buy him a drink," she said.
Thomas says the officer then asked her for $5000 instead and she said that she only had $2500.
"Him walk off and go to the other officer and then I see him come back. Him say I must roll up the money and come over to the officer and give it to them," she said.
The accused said she did not know that it was staged and she would be charged.
"That is what bribery is, so, yes, you would be charged," said RM Gayle.
She was sentenced to nine months imprisonment suspended for two years.
"I don't know why I am doing this, and being so lenient," said RM Gayle.
A fingerprint order was also given.
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