A 67-YEAR-OLD woman who tried to smuggle a plastic bag of dried leaves believed to be marijuana to her grandson in Korovou Prison is counting her lucky stars after she escaped a custodial sentence yesterday.
Parwati, of Lakena Village in Nausori, appeared before Magistrate Chaitanya Lakshman.
Mr Lakshman was informed that last Saturday, Parwati visited her grandson at the Suva prison where prison officers searched her. During the search, they found a bag containing sukhi (tobacco).
She told the court the plastic bag found in her possession was given to her by a relative and she had no idea that it contained marijuana.
Mr Lakshman then told her that considering her age, Parwati should not be involved in such crime.
"You are too old, and if you love your grandson you would not have done this to him," he said.
"Your grandson was sent to prison for a purpose, to change and be a better person."
Mr Lakshman said he wanted to send the accused to prison for seven days so she could experience life in there. However, he said because of her age, he felt sorry for her.
The magistrate then warned Parwati not to re-offend within the next two years or she would spend three months behind bars.