A man accused of having a gun in his possession without a licence was yesterday remanded to prison after appearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The allegation is that on November 17 at 111 Miles, Mahdia, Toney Jemmott had in his possession one 16-gauge shotgun without being the holder of a firearm licence.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge of possession of a firearm without licence when it was read to him by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
Prosecutor Stephen Telford, in giving the facts of the case told the court that on the day in question the police, acting on certain information, apprehended the man who had the shotgun concealed in a hammock he was carrying.
When given a chance to respond, the accused told the court that he found the gun along the trail on which he was walking and was in the process of taking it to the Mahdia Police Station when he was intercepted by police who arrested and charged him before he could hand the weapon over.
The prosecution requested that the man be remanded to prison. Jemmott was later denied his pretrial liberty. His matter was transferred to the Mahdia Magistrates’ Court for January 20.