A Republic Park man was yesterday remanded to prison after he made an appearance before a city court on a gun possession charge.
Shawn James, 27, of Lot 38 Republic Park, was accused of having a 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol in his possession on November 20, at 14 Miles Issano, without being the holder of a firearm licence.
According to the prosecution, James was found with the firearm in his pants pocket, however, the defendant’s lawyer presented a different account to the court.
The attorney stated that James had been at work at the mining camp when he heard shouts coming from the other workers and proceeded outside, where he saw police searching the area. He reported that the ranks then searched James’s camp but found nothing. According to the attorney, the firearm was discovered wrapped in a black t-shirt and hidden in a hammock in another camp nearby. He further stated that no efforts were made to contact the other workers, who had fled the scene while the search was occurring.
Given these special reasons, the attorney made an application for bail but the request was denied after the prosecution made objections based on the seriousness of the crime and the penalty such an offence attracts.
James was remanded to prison by Magistrate Fabayo Azore, who adjourned the matter to December 7, when it will be called before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at Court One.
