A father of five was yesterday remanded to prison after he was charged with having an unlicensed firearm in his possession when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
It is alleged that on April 6 at Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, Asif Khan, 35 had in his possession one pistol with 7 rounds of 9mm ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence at the time.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
The prosecutor, Police Corporal Seon Blackman stated that on the day in question a party of police was on patrol duty. The officers, acting on information stopped motor car PRR 555 and conducted a search of the interior of the vehicle and on the person of Khan when the pistol was found.
Blackman said that Khan was told of the offence and arrested whereupon he gave a caution statement admitting to the offence.
Attorney Paul Fung-a-Fat who represented Khan said that the gun does not belong to his client and that the firearm was not found on him.
He asked the court for his client to be released on bail since he has a fixed place of abode at 35 Public Road, Bagotstown. Counsel said that the firearm was found under the dashboard of the vehicle. He further added that Khan told him that he dropped off a man and the man left the gun in his car.
Blackman however brought to the court’s attention that Khan gave the police a caution statement saying that a man who owes him money told him to hold onto the gun until he repays him when he returns from the interior.
The prosecutor objected to bail citing the nature of the offence and the punishment it attracts if the defendant is found guilty.
He was then refused bail.
The matter will be called again on April 19.
