KINGSTON, Jamaica— A vendor was fined a total of $5,000 or three months in jail after pleading guilty to the offences of possession of an offensive weapon and exposing goods for sale.

Ian Reid, the vendor in question, faced charges after police reportedly observed him with his goods displayed openly near the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre in St Andrew, an area where vending is prohibited.

Although Reid admitted to having his goods in the area, he clarified to the court that he was not actively selling at the time.

“I was not selling, I was packing up my goods. I wasn’t selling, you see nobody buying? I wasn’t selling Your Honour,” Reid told Presiding Judge Carlo Mason in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Despite Reid’s clarification, the investigating officer presented a picture showing Reid with his goods, prompting the judge to confirm that the charge pertained to the exposure of goods rather than actual sales.

Reid was also reportedly found in possession of a ratchet knife, which he admitted to.

Judge Mason imposed a $1,000 fine for the guilty plea regarding exposing goods for sale and a $4,000 fine for possession of the offensive weapon.

-Vanessa James