Prison time for man who borrowed JDF uniform to impress girls

Zidon Smith, the 24-yearold man who was found in possession of a Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) uniform, after borrowing it from his soldier friend in an effort to impress girls, has been sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment.

The sentence was handed down when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Thursday. He had earlier pleaded guilty to unauthorised use and dealing in military decoration.

“This is a serious offence because it is a breach of the country’s defence, the country’s security. When a person goes around with military decorations, it gives them access to places they could not generally or normally have. So, the use of military declaration in these circumstances, I would regard as serious,” said Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque.

The offence is a breach of Section 189 of the Defence

Act, which carries a fine of up to $5 million or a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years in the parish court.

However, attorney-at-law Shadae Bailey, in plea mitigation arguments, submitted that Smith, who is currently serving a prison term for another offence, “has been reformed”. She asked for a non-custodial sentence to be imposed. “He is currently serving a sentence of three years and seven months for anther offence related to this incident and he is like a prefect in the prison system, helping with visits, and he is respected among the prison population. He has some CXC subjects and prior to his arrest, he wanted to join the JDF,” Bailey surmised.

Judge Cole-Montaque imposed a sentence of nine months’ imprisonment at hard labour, which is to run concurrent with his current term of imprisonment.

She said that lawmakers, in prescribing the penalties, considered the offence to be a serious one. She, however, took into account the fact that he is already serving a term of imprisonment.

“I don’t think imposing a fine would be the most necessary thing, in light of the fact that he is serving a term. I take into account his plea of guilt,” the judge said.

The Crown withdrew the charges of false pretence and conspiracy to deceive against Smith.

Fabion Mitchell, a former member of the JDF, who was charged along with Smith and is on $500,000 bail, is to return to court on March 10.