A Sophia man was on Thursday charged and remanded to prison for allegedly having an unlicensed gun.
It is alleged that Leland Archer, 56, of Lot 11 ‘B’ Field, Pattensen, on February 2nd, at ‘C’ Field, Sophia, had a Taurus revolver in his possession while not being the holder of a firearm licence.
Archer, a gold miner, pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to him by Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul at the Better Hope Community Centre.
Police Prosecutor David Goodridge, who objected to bail, said on the day in question, Archer approached three men who were drinking and asked if he could join them. After the men refused Archer, an argument ensued and the defendant allegedly left and subsequently returned to the three men with the gun. A scuffle then ensued between the four men and Archer dropped the gun. The weapon was eventually retrieved by one of the three men and it and Archer were taken to the police.
According to Archer’s lawyer, the gun belonged to one of the three men who was drinking.
After hearing submissions from the prosecution and Archer’s lawyer, Magistrate Ally-Seepaul remanded Archer to prison. His next court date is fixed for March 4th.
