COURT: The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of possession of 0.34 grammes of cocaine.
On 7 November 2012 at about 11 pm, police officers stopped and searched the defendant near the junction of Hankow Road and Haiphong Road. They found from her zipper bag a brown paper bag containing two plastic bags of cocaine. The defendant admitted that the drug was for her own consumption.
The defendant is now 18. Her date of birth is 27 January 1996. She was 16 and pregnant at the time of the offence. She received education up to form 3. She has a clear record. After she was granted bail in this case in January 2013, she went back to live with her parents. She gave birth to her son on 2 March 2013. She is now unemployed and is supported by her family.
A social worker from ELCHK, North District Youth Outreaching Social Work Team, Miss Chan, wrote to this court, pointing out that the defendant is motivated to turn a new leaf because of her son and the family support. The defendant is very remorseful and Miss Chan pleaded for leniency on the defendant’s behalf.
According to the Probation Officer’s report, the defendant was well-behaved until form 3. Her academic results deteriorated and she left school in September 2011. She worked as a cashier, earning about $7,000 per month. She started mixing with undesirable peers. In February 2012, she cohabited with the 2nd defendant in this case. Her relationship with her family deteriorated. She started taking ketamine and cocaine by the end of 2011.
Since she was granted bail, the defendant has positive changes with strong family support. The Probation Officer found that she takes care of her son well and she showed remorse towards the present offence. A urine test on 3 March 2014 showed negative result in drugs. The Probation Officer recommended 18 months’ probation supervision with special conditions.
I have considered the circumstances of this case and the changes in attitude of the defendant. Given that there was only a small amount of cocaine and that she has positive changes in behaviour, I order the defendant to receive probation supervision for 18 months with conditions as set out in the report.
Defendant, stand up. There are five conditions in the Probation Officer’s report. I understand your counsel must have explained those conditions to you.
ACCUSED: Yes.
COURT: I have to warn you now. If you fail to comply with any of those conditions, or if you commit any offence during this 18 months’ probation period, you will be called upon to this court and the present offence will be sentenced afresh. By that time, you have no chance. Do you understand?
ACCUSED: Yes.