HGP Nightly News – Former professional boxer Howard “Battersea Bomber” Eastman has been sentenced to 48 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of marijuana.
Eastman, 55, appeared before Magistrate Michelle Matthias at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where he admitted to possession of 265 grams of cannabis.
The former national boxer was arrested last Friday at Pitt Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, after he was allegedly found with the prohibited substance.
He was initially charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to Section 5(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act.
During sentencing, the court heard that Eastman is unemployed, has no fixed place of abode, and is a repeat offender. Magistrate Matthias noted that he had previously appeared before the court for a similar matter.
Taking those factors into account, the magistrate sentenced him to four years imprisonment. He was also fined three times the market value of the 265 grams of cannabis.
Eastman was once one of Guyana’s most recognised names in professional boxing. His career lasted two decades, from 1994 to 2014, during which he represented Guyana internationally and earned national acclaim in the sport.
Two other men were also sentenced in connection with related narcotics matters.
Clarence Crawford, an 18-year-old fisherman of Islington Village, East Bank Berbice, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment after pleading guilty. The magistrate said consideration was given to his age and the fact that he was a first-time offender.
Crawford was also fined three times the market value of 195 grams of cannabis. Magistrate Matthias urged him to use his time in prison as an opportunity to reflect and reform his conduct.
George Green, called “Quamy,” a 39-year-old coconut vendor of Howard’s Alley, New Amsterdam, was sentenced to three years imprisonment. The court heard that Green is also a repeat offender.
Green’s sentence was reduced by one-third because of his guilty plea. He was also fined three times the market value of 193 grams of cannabis.
Green was arrested at Main and Nicolay Streets, New Amsterdam, Berbice.
Sergeant Clarke prosecuted the matters.
