A 19-year-old youth was lucky to escape with a non-custodial sentence after he pleaded guilty to being in possession of marijuana.

Avili Duaqatabua was caught with 11 sachets and 10 rolls of marijuana on May 4th this year and High Court Judge Justice Daniel Gounder sentenced him to 80 hours of community work.

In his ruling, Judge Gounder stressed that drug peddling is a serious offence and, generally, an immediate custodial sentence is imposed.

However, Justice Gounder said he takes into account that Duaqatabu was motivated by need and not greed to commit the offence as at the time of the offence he was living with friends after being chased out of home by his father. He said Duaqatabu got involved in the offence to make some easy money to live because he was unemployed.

Duaqatabu has to carry out 80 hours of community work within four months and return to court to verify compliance with the court order on November 28th.