A STANFORD youth was allowed to walk from court after being fined for possession of cannabis despite being adamant that she would not pay her fine.
In extraordinary scenes at Grays magistrates court, the 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted being in possession of cannabis in Corringham library on the 20th December last year.
Chair of magistrates Paul Brandis asked the youth what she did all day. She replied: “I smoke weed and drink beer.”
He further asked her where she got the money from to which she replied: “I get £350 a month disability allowance.”
Mr Brandis then said: “The system is clearly crazy”.
He then fined the youth £70.
Whilst still in the courtroom, she shouted: “I’m not paying.” The member of the Youth Offending Team pleaded with her to be quiet and ushered her out of the court.
Despite this, the youth remonstrated for a considerable amount of time, that she was adamant that she would not pay.
Those expecting the Youth Offending Team to bring this to the attention of the bench or indeed for the bench to take action were to be disappointed.
