A man who police say was under surveillance for an hour before he was allegedly found with an unlicensed firearm was yesterday remanded to prison by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
The allegation against John Simpson, of 52 Supply, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, is that on July 15, at Georgetown, he had in his possession a .38 Taurus revolver without licence. The father of one denied the charge when it was read to him by the magistrate at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Police Corporal Venetta Pindar said that the police, acting on information, went to America Street, where Sergeant Caesar and a party of policemen had the defendant under surveillance for an hour.
The court heard that the lawmen observed the accused communicating with persons in a car before collecting a bag from the occupants of that car, after which the vehicle left.
The corporal said that Simpson was then approached by the police and told of their suspicion, after which he was searched and found with the firearm. He was then taken to the police station where he was told of the allegation, arrested and charged.
The lawyer who represented the accused argued that his client was never in possession of the item in question and was arrested only on the basis that the occupants of the car handed over a bag to him.
Counsel said that the police took no note of the number plate of the car, which drove away, and neither was any mention made of what became of the occupants of the said vehicle. These, he, contended amounted to special circumstances and requested that his client be granted his pre-trial liberty.
The prosecution however objected to bail, arguing that there existed no special circumstances for bail to be considered.
The man was then informed that he would be remanded to prison. The case was transferred to Court Five for November 1.
