Trinidad: Elderly woman jailed

A High Court judge in Trinidad has sentenced a 71-year-old woman to six years in jail, after she was found guilty of attempting to traffic cocaine.



Grace Pierre-Holder, who is a mother of 10, had been charged jointly with 29-year-old Deanah John-Finn, who was given a five year prison term with hard labour.



Pierre-Holder was sentenced to simple imprisonment after the judge considered the mitigation plea presented on her behalf.



Her lawyer, Senior Counsel Theodore Guerra had asked the court to consider his client’s age in sentencing, adding also that she suffers diabetes and a thyroid disorder.



He urged the judge to fine his client for the offence but she disagreed, saying a custodial sentence was justified.



The two were arrested at the Piarco International Airport by officers of the Organised Crime Narcotics and Firearms Bureau on February 10, 2000 and found guilty of the offences in May this year.