Dear Editor,
The Guyana Police Force is responding to an article published in the Guyana Times of Friday July 12, 2013, under the caption ‘Nine-year-old boy among three held for gun, ammo’.
In the article it is stated that a nine-year-old boy was among three persons arrested (by the police) on Wednesday, following the discovery of a gun and a quantity of ammunition at Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice.
The Guyana Police Force wishes to categorically state that the nine-year-old boy who was in the home at the time of the incident, was never arrested by the police.
The facts are that at about 14:00h on Wednesday July 10, 2013, the police conducted a search on a house at Yakusari, North Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, during which an unlicensed 12 gauge shotgun and 25 matching cartridges were found.
Consequently, Deoydat Lilboy, 34 years, and his reputed wife Lilawattie Devi Arjune, 30 years, were arrested.
Their nine-year-old son who was at home at the time was not arrested, but was handed over to his mother’s brother Kishore Arjune, 41 years, who resides at Johanna South, Black Bush Polder, and who was at the scene at the time.
Under the Laws of Guyana a nine-year-old child is doli incapax (incapable of criminal intention or malice.)
Yours faithfully,
Ivelaw Whittaker
Public Relations and Press Officer