The wife of a former Toshao was on Wednesday charged with stealing her husband’s shotgun.
Christina Peters, 57, is accused of stealing a 12-gauge, pump action, shotgun valued at $120,000 and property of Albertino Peters.
The mother of six denied the allegation against her.
According to attorney Jerome Khan, who represented Christina Peters, the weapon was not stolen. The attorney added that on the day of the alleged incident, Peters was approached by persons in the village of Kurupukari who wanted to borrow the gun, to hunt wild boars in the area. Peters, believing that it was the community’s gun, loaned it to them.
The court heard that the police intercepted the men as they were on their way to hunt the wild hogs, asked them where they got the weapon from, and they stated that they had gotten it from Peters. Peters was later questioned by the police and admitted that she loaned the gun to the men, but did not steal it. Khan added that the meat from the wild hogs was to serve as food for the feeding programme since they had run out of meat.
The prosecution stated, however, that Peters did not have authority to use the gun, noting that her husband had given a statement stating that he had never given her permission to use the gun.
There was no objection made to bail being granted, but the prosecution requested that it be substantial.
Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan subsequently granted Peters $15,000 bail, and ordered that she report to the subordinate officer in charge of the Kurupukarii Police Outpost every Friday.
The matter was then adjourned to June 6, when it will be heard at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court.
Meanwhile, Elmo Felix, 51 and Gilbert Williams, 30, were charged in relation to the said 12-gauge, pump action, shotgun.
While Williams was accused of being in possession of the 12-gauge shotgun, Felix was charged with having in his possession two 12-gauge cartridges.
Both men denied the charges which were allegedly committed on April 7 at Kurupukari.
Attorney Khan, who represented both men, stated that their only offence had been trying to assist in getting meat for the feeding programme.
However, the duo were remanded to prison, and will also be taken before the Lethem Court on June 5.
