Nassau, BAHAMAS-A Jamaican woman has been fined for illegally selling alcohol and tobacco products.
Police took up surveillance at the back of Maxine Whymms’ home on April 24 after they got a tip.
The officers raided the home at Maxwell Lane, off Rockcrusher Road, after they saw her sell beers and cigarettes to two men from a back door.
They asked Whymms to produce her liquor license—but she didn’t have one.
The officers seized two cases of Kalik beer; two cases of Bud Light; one case of Budweiser; 37 packs of Grabba Leaf; 37 packs of Gazza Leaf; a case of Marc Rogers Napoleon Brandy; vodka; gin; wine and Guinness from the home.
Whymms, 47, did not have a lawyer when she appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes.
She pleaded guilty to selling liquor without a permit and operating a non-essential business in violation of the COVID-19 curfew at her arraignment.
Whymms is married to a Bahamian and holds a resident spousal permit.
She told the court that she sold breakfast and lunch from her home. Whymms said she had applied for a liquor license. However, it was denied.
Whymms told the court that she sold the alcohol to help pay her bills.
She said she had two children in university and a mortgage.
The magistrate said, “Notwithstanding, the purpose a violation of the law is still a violation and it carries a penalty. Those penalties can be severe, and in some instances, can be a mild retribution”
He continued, “You cannot engage in conduct that is criminal for what you may find to be justifiable means.”
The magistrate ordered Whymms to pay a $100 fine to avoid spending six months in prison for selling liquor without a license.
He fined her $1,000 or six months in prison for breaching the curfew restrictions by operating a non-essential business.
Whymms’ husband paid the fines.
