Mother in wheelchair, son in custody

After testing positive for the consumption of ganja and cocaine on Monday, John Philip Cohen was remanded in custody for a week. 

Cohen, 49, asked how Magistrate Valdis Foldats could put him in custody.  

“I got an 80-year-old mother home alone in a wheelchair. She just broke her hip,” he told the court. 

The magistrate replied, “Think about that before you do drugs.” 

The magistrate added, “I gave you until today to be clean.” 

Court records show that when Cohen appeared on 6 January, he was told the next date was his last chance – his tests must be negative. 

Cohen had pleaded guilty to possession and consumption of ganja in May 2011. Sentencing was adjourned because he also faced another charge. That charge was dismissed in September and when Cohen came back to court he said he wanted help regarding drug use. He was told to attend The Counselling Centre and the Department of Community Rehabilitation.  

He returned to court on several occasions after that, but tested positive each time. Spoken to on 6 January, he told the court he could quit on his own. That was when the magistrate warned him that a positive drug test would mean custody. 

After Cohen was remanded for a week, until 13 February, Crown Counsel Nicole Petit asked whether, in light of what Cohen had said, someone could check on his mother. 

A probation officer said she would contact Cohen’s social worker to see about the elderly woman.