John Hoy Jailed Three Months for Possession of Drug Pipe

Well-known Belize City resident John Hoy is tonight behind bars after being sentenced to three months imprisonment for possession of utensils used for smoking drugs.  Fifty-eight-year-old Hoy, a watchman of Tigris Street and Tobacco Caye, appeared unrepresented before the Senior Magistrate yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to possession of a crack pipe.  Police say the incident occurred on Saturday, May 13, on Plues Street, where officers searched Hoy and discovered a metal pipe measuring approximately two inches in length inside his right front pants pocket.  During court proceedings, Hoy admitted ownership of the pipe but claimed it was not found directly on him. Despite that statement, the court accepted his guilty plea.  The Senior Magistrate noted that Hoy has an extensive criminal record involving previous drug-related convictions and ruled that a fine would not be appropriate under the circumstances. Instead, Hoy was sentenced to three months imprisonment.  The court further recommended that Hoy enroll in a drug rehabilitation program while incarcerated, indicating that he was in need of assistance and intervention.  Before sentencing, Hoy also informed the court that he required medical attention, claiming he had been involved in a fight prior to his arrest and suffered a split lip that was causing him significant pain.  Hoy is now serving time until early September.