During the sentencing of Paulo Marco De Gouveia (26), who admitted the offences, which included using a motorcycle, as well as driving while using a mobile phone, Crown Advocate Sally Sharpe said the public should be protected from such irresponsibility.De Gouveia, who also admitted being in possession of £700-worth of heroin which he claimed he was holding for a friend who said he was being ‘hassled by the police’, was sentenced to a total of three years in prison.Advocate Sharpe said the defendant had nine previous convictions involving 21 offences, mostly motoring.’The defendant apparently takes the view that compliance with the law relating to motoring is optional,’ she said.Counsel for De Gouveia, Advocate Jane Grace, said her client had naively agreed to hold the drugs for a friend and knew neither the type of drug nor the value.
Nor had he done it for a reward.In relation to the motoring offences, he had not been joy-riding nor had he caused injury or damage, she submitted.Deputy Bailiff Michael Birt, sitting with Jurats Potter and Tibbo, said De Gouveia had completely disregarded the law by continually driving while disqualified and without insurance – very serious offences if someone had been injured.He had also tried to help someone else evade capture, which was also a very serious offence, the Deputy Bailiff said.
