Former national rugby player Robin Curtis was remanded to prison on a gun charge yesterday.
Curtis, 25, of lot 3736 North Ruimveldt, was allegedly found with an illegal pistol at Castello Housing Scheme, a city court was told yesterday.
But Curtis’ lawyer told the court that he was the only one of the three occupants in the vehicle he was driving at the time of the discovery that was charged. The court also heard that the accused received threats to his life and that of his family while in police custody.
The charge against Curtis stated that he had a 7.65mm Taurus Pistol in his possession without being the holder of a firearm licence
on August 22. However, Curtis, who was a national rugby player during the period 2008 to 2009, denied the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Judy Latchman.
Curtis was represented by attorney Abiola Wong-Inniss. During her bail application, Wong-Inniss urged the court to consider the fact that Curtis was in a car with two other persons. She said that one was known by the defendant, while the other was known to Curtis’ friend. Although all three were arrested, Curtis was charged and the others, including an ex-policeman, were subsequently released, the attorney added. She urged the court to grant her client reasonable bail after she mentioned the circumstances under which the gun was allegedly found.
On the other hand, Police Prosecutor Corporal Seon Blackman objected to bail, citing the seriousness and prevalence of the offence. He further objected on the grounds that a firearm was found. According to Blackman, when Curtis was confronted by the police, he allegedly admitted that the gun was his and reportedly gave a statement to the police. A full investigation was carried out, Blackman added.
At that moment, Wong-Inniss stood up and declared that the statement was not “freely and voluntarily” made. The lawyer also informed the court that her client received certain threats to his life and that of his family’s while in custody. She explained that Curtis worried about the safety and wellbeing of his family, in light of the threats.
Despite his lawyer’s submissions, Curtis was remanded to prison until September, when the case will be called before the chief magistrate.
