-man, 63, says police “setting him up”
A 63-year-old man, who said police planted an AK-47 magazine in his house to implicate him because he is a friend of Oliver Hinckson, was placed on $150,000 bail when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Augustus Stuart of Lot S Freeman Street, East La Penitence and his 34-year-old reputed wife, Odessa Paddy, of 31 Queens Street, Courtland, Corentyne pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of an AK-47 magazine and 19 7.6×39 rounds without lawful authority. She was also granted $150,000 bail.
It is alleged that on June 17 at Stuart’s address the couple had in their possession the said magazine and ammunition.
Just after 1 pm Thursday Stuart told the court that the joint services were “setting him up” because of his relationship with Oliver Hinckson. According to him, they have searched his sister’s and his friend’s houses recently, all of whom are friends of Hinckson.
He requested that the court inform his attorney, Gregory Gaskin that he has been brought before the court. Stuart went on to explain that his house was searched twice and on the first occasion they found nothing and now suddenly they were able to discover the items in question.
Stuart explained to the court that Paddy is innocent as well. According to him, while the joint services team was searching his house they held the woman outside. He went on to explain that he was held by the officer in command, “I saw when he dropped the magazine,” Stuart said. “He dropped it on a concrete surface and I heard when it dropped as well.”
The accused went on to say that during the second search when the police and soldiers allegedly discovered the said items they also took away two of his video cassettes and his long top boots. Stuart pointed out that he had formerly served the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
The man, speaking with a recognizable stutter, pointed out to Principal Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle that this was because of his medical condition. “I am a sick man. I have suffered two strokes and I am not able to explain to you that is why I am requesting my counsellor,” he said, adding, “She [Paddy] knows virtually nothing.”
The magistrate adjourned the matter for a short period to allow Gaskin to make an appearance. At 2.45 pm, representing both Stuart and Paddy, Gaskin described the entire affair as an “abridgement” of his clients’ rights and made an immediate application for bail.
Gaskin informed the court that neither Stuart nor Paddy are flight risks, they are not likely to commit offences nor is there a possibility that they may interfere or tamper with witnesses. Based on these guidelines set for the court to decide on the issue of bail, Gaskin said, he saw no reason why bail should not be granted.
Further Gaskin said that Paddy was four months pregnant for Stuart and it may be injurious to her and her unborn child if she were incarcerated. According to the lawyer, Stuart had been admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) twice this year and is expected there again in July for a Barium study.
Stuart, he said, is under the medical supervision of Dr. Ramsundar Doobay. His client, he explained, has suffered two stroke attacks, needs three doses of pills daily and needs to eat a special diet. It is based on these “special circumstances” that the attorney again made an application for bail on behalf of his clients.
The nature of the charge, Gaskin said, is that a magazine with 19 rounds was found behind a door in Stuart’s house. According to him, at 4:30 am on the day in question Stuart’s house was searched without his supervision because he was being held at the door by the officer-in-charge.
The prosecution asked that bail be refused stating to the court that the facts as explained by Gaskin are “far from the truth”. The items, the prosecution said, were found in a secured place which was opened by Stuart. Cash was also found in that location, the prosecution said, and asked why if the officer had indeed dropped the magazine as Stuart had said would he bother to drop cash as well. In light of what is happening in the society, the prosecution said, these matters must be taken seriously and bail should be refused to ensure the two accused return for their trial.
Stuart and Paddy were each placed on $150,000 bail and the matter was transferred to Court Five for July 11.
