Terrence John, who is accused of shooting at a police corporal and having an unlicensed gun and ammunition in his possession, was yesterday remanded to prison.
John, who was taken to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on a stretcher, denied the charges when they were read to him by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
It is alleged that on December 23, at Georgetown, John, a father of three, discharged a loaded firearm at Police Corporal Kester Cusbert with intent to maim, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm to him.
On the same day, John is also alleged to have had in his possession one .32 Walther pistol and six live matching rounds of ammunition without licence.
John, who sustained a gunshot wound to his right leg, was escorted into the courtroom on a stretcher and placed on the floor by police ranks. The magistrate then left the bench and went closer to where the accused lay and read him the charges.
In presenting the prosecution’s case, Police Sergeant Lionel Harvey said that on the day in question, based on information received, police ranks went to an Agricola, East Bank Demerara, location where the accused opened fire at the police with a gun he drew from a shoulder bag he was carrying.
Harvey said that the lawmen then ran for cover and returned fire at the accused who was subsequently hit in his right leg.
According to Harvey, subsequent investigations by the police discovered that the firearm and ammunition were unlicensed.
John, who strongly denied the charges, said that the police shot at him wrongfully as he never shot at them and he stressed that he was innocent of the charges levelled against him.
“I got three lil children fuh live for, so wah I doing getting myself involve in crime and shooting at police?” the accused questioned.
John was then informed that he will be remanded to prison until January 31.
