by HEATHER-LYNN EVANSON

A BRIDGETOWN MAGISTRATE has chastised parents for inadequately supervising their children.

Magistrate Christopher Birch feels this is one of the reasons why so many young people end up before the courts.

"The price of peace is eternal vigilance, and parents aren't vigilant enough. This is why we have a hooligan element," he said. "The reason why the youngsters are getting into trouble is because a lot of parents are failing to be vigilant."

He was speaking while dealing with two young men – one 22 and a former national footballer, the other 18 and unemployed – who were before him, last Monday, for having cannabis in their possession.

His comments came after the mother of the footballer begged and wept for her son, saying he was no criminal and had only made a mistake.

"Why is he here? What is this? What is he here for?" asked Magistrate Birch, holding up a charge sheet.

"For a crime he committed," the mother later conceded.

The other mother said the only problem she had with her son was that he was lazy.

"He is a good boy, right? He doesn't give you any trouble?" Magistrate Birch asked her.

"Not in that kind of way," she replied.

"Yes, 'cause these days everybody is a good boy," the magistrate replied.

The magistrate then told both mothers they were doing their sons no good by "indulging in their folly".

"What it represents is that you have failed. Every parent is charged with bringing up patriotic, hardworking and industrious citizens and this is what you have brought forth," the magistrate said.

The two – Jamar Odane Thomas, 22, the former footballer, of Rock Close, Wildey, St Michael, and Zico Romando Kevin Graham, 18, of Simmons Land, Rendezvous, Christ Church, had both admitted they had cannabis while they were in St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church, on February 17.

Thomas, who said he only started smoking last year, admitted that as a footballer "we used to get drug tests".

Graham said he had given a man a cigarette and the man told him "hold that dey".

"[These] Children that have been given everything, that have never had to look for a meal, had the best education, a roof over their heads, and how do they repay? By going in St Lawrence Gap and playing the fool," Magistrate Birch said.

Both now have to complete 180 hours of community service if they want to keep their records clean.

Thomas returns to court on May 9, while Graham returns on May 26.

In addition, Magistrate Birch banned both from going in St Lawrence Gap and urged them to stop smoking.