A miner was yesterday remanded to prison after he was charged over a shotgun, a rifle and ammunition that was allegedly found near his camp at Middle Mazaruni.
It was alleged that Rocky Cumberbatch, 32, of Lot 64 Freeman Street, East La Penitence, had a 12-gauge single-barrel shotgun and a bushmaster rifle in his possession on December 4, at Middle Mazaruni, without being the holder of a firearm licence.
It was also alleged that on that same day, Cumberbatch had in his possession 26 rounds of .32 ammunition.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges that were read.
According to Cumberbatch’s attorney, three persons were arrested in relation to the matter and one of them, identified as Phillip Campbell, had told the police that Cumberbatch was nowhere around when the guns and ammunition were found. The attorney also questioned how Campbell, who had actually been nearby when the articles were discovered, was not charged with the crime.
Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail being granted to the accused, while stating that no special reasons existed. Jones related that Cumberbatch is known to the police, who were acting on information when they went to the man’s camp and conducted a search. He said when they found nothing, the defendant took them through a trail, where he took out a rice bag where the articles were hidden.
The matter was adjourned by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, where it will be recalled on December 30. Cumberbatch has been remanded until that time.
