A disabled man charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, importing cocaine and conspiracy to import cocaine bawled for Jesus when he was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment yesterday.

Ryan Hemmings of a Kingston address was brought before the Corporate Area Resident Magis-trate's Court yesterday, after he had been caught going through Customs with the contraband.

The court was told that while passing through Customs at the Norman Manley International Airport, Hemmings' suitcase was searched and one pound (500 grams) of cocaine was found in his suitcase.

pay money

When Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey asked Hemmings "Why you think you mustn't go jail for this?" He hesitantly replied, "I was just trying to pay some money to my church, Your Honour."

He was fined $100,000 or six months in prison for the possession of cocaine; $140,000 or six months for dealing in cocaine. In addition, he is to spend 12 months in prison for importing cocaine and pay $300,000 for the conspiracy to import cocaine.

When the accused heard his sentence he yelled "Jesus!"