A twenty-four-year-old man appeared before Magistrate Alan Wilson at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with possession of one 9mm pistol and seven 9mm live rounds of ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence and he was placed on $150,000 bail on each charge.
Richard Rambarran of 10 Oleander Gardens, East Coast Demerara pleaded not guilty to both offences.
It is alleged that on Saturday at Lethem, the defendant was involved in a fight with another person when he drew a firearm and discharged a round in the air. A report was made and he was later arrested and charged.
The prosecution objected to bail, stating that persons charged for an offence of this nature are not eligible for bail except under special circumstances.
The lawyer for the accused in his bail application noted that the next court date for the Lethem region will not be until June and it would be very inconvenient to his client.
The magistrate then asked the prosecutor if he can assure that the exhibits and evidence pertaining to the matter will be available to commence trial in June in view of the ongoing problem of the delays in the interior courts.
The prosecutor responded but did not offer a guarantee.
The magistrate then granted bail on the grounds that if the prosecutor ensured that the evidence and exhibits are available on the next date of the matter, he will no longer grant bail for any offence of this nature.
The matter will continue on June 5 at Lethem Magistrate’s Court.
