A disappointed father travelled from Barbados to the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court to be a character witness in the sentencing of his daughter for ganja.

Bajan Nicole Harris,19, was caught at the Norman Manley International Airport with five pounds of ganja. She pleaded guilty to possession, dealing and taking steps to export ganja.

The father, indicating he was extremely shocked, said he never expected his daughter to be in a situation like this. He said she was always a straight A student and surmised that his divorce from her mother could have resulted in her behaviour.

Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey argued that Harris should not receive sympathy from the court. However, her lawyer was very persistent in ensuring his client received a minor sentence.

For possession, Harris was fined $8,000 or three months in prison, for dealing, she was fined $16,000 or three months and for taking steps to export ganja, she was fined $24,000 or three months.

Harris was also given a mandatory three months, to run consecutive to terms if the fines are not paid.