A ranger attached to Alfro Alphonso Mining Establishment yesterday stood before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer the charge of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.
Anthony Rickby pleaded not guilty to the charges which read that on October 29 he had in his possession without being a licensed firearm holder one semi-automatic pistol and six live rounds.
Attorney Hukumchand represented the defendant and said that his client was in the military and he resides at 55 Farm, East Bank Demerara. On the day in question he was at the Itabali Landing and was heading back to the camp when the General Manager of Alfro Alphonso Mining Establishment was at the landing in a semi-delirious state from a malaria attack. There was no one to take the gun from him so Rickby took it and was proceeding to the camp when he was stopped by the police and searched. The attorney said further that his client told the police he had the gun and ammunition in his possession and that it belonged to the company.
In presenting the facts Prosecutor Lionel Harvey said that the defendant was driving a red ATV motorbike when he was stopped by the police and the weapon and ammunition were discovered in his right pants pocket and he was asked to produce a licence for the firearm but he failed to do so. He was then arrested and charged.
The magistrate remanded him to prison and the matter was transferred to Bartica Magistrates’ Court for Thursday.
