Four persons, who police say were found in a car with an unlicensed revolver, were yesterday given bail by a city court after denying charges of illegal gun and ammunition possession.
Ruel Garner, Nelson Wayne, Kevin Ashley and Roxell De Paul were all charged with being in possession of a .22 revolver and three rounds of .22 ammunition without a licence at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty on July 18th.
Prosecutor Deniro Jones stated that police officers received a tip and intercepted PPP 3594, the vehicle in which the four defendants were travelling. The vehicle was searched and the firearm and ammunition were found under the driver’s seat, he noted.
Jones objected to bail due to the severity of the charge and claimed that Wayne was previously charged with robbery.
Wayne, 27, did not deny the claim. He noted that it was over six years ago and that he is now a changed man.
Wayne, a resident of Lot 2 Eastville Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, indicated that he is a contractor and a father of four children as well as the sole breadwinner of his family.
Ashley, 20, of Lot 452 Section ‘D,’ Sophia is also employed as a contractor, while De Paul, 20, of Lot 6 Mandela Avenue stated that she is currently unemployed.
Garner, 24, of Lot 435 North East La Penitence, Georgetown, was represented by attorney James Bond, who stated that his client was offered a drop and that the vehicle had a number of occupants when the discovery of the gun and ammunition was made. The lawyer emphasised that the firearm and ammunition were not found on his client and that his client was not the owner or driver of the car. The attorney also noted that Garner is a teacher at a Masjid and that he is still observing Ramadan.
When Magistrate Ann McLennan enquired about who was the owner and driver of the car, Prosecutor Jones was unable to provide an answer but he stated that investigations are still being conducted.
Each defendant was granted $125,000 bail on each of the two charges by Magistrate McLennan. The case was adjourned until August 3rd.
