A 35-year-old tyre repairman was on Wednesday dealt a one-year suspended sentence over the possession of an unlicensed firearm, after changing his plea in a city court.
The charge had stated that Khayyam Ahmad, on December 1, 2018 at South Road, Bourda, had in his possession a .32 pistol without being the holder of a firearm licence.
Facts in relation to the matter stated that on the day in question, at about 23:20hrs, a police rank went to the tyre shop on South Road where Ahmad was working, to have a tyre changed. During the process, he got into an argument with the defendant and the defendant went to the back of the tyre shop and returned with a firearm in his pants waist. Another customer then told the defendant that he was arguing with a police officer, causing the defendant to run to the back of the shop and hide the firearm.
Ahmad was read the charge in December and had pleaded not guilty. When the matter was called on Wednesday for Ahmad to be given a trial date, the prosecutor stated that they were awaiting a ballistic report before the trial can commence.
Ahmad’s attorney, George Thomas, told the court that his client has been on remand since early December and has not given a trial date. Thomas asked the court to dismiss the matter as it has been going on for too long. The attorney stated that he would not request bail for his client as he may be unable to pay the bail. He then requested a suspended sentence if his client changed to a guilty plea.
Ahmad then indicated that he wanted to change his plea. The charge was read over to him and he pleaded guilty, apologized for his actions and stated that he wanted to go home to see his children.
Magistrate Faith McGusty, before handing down the sentence, took into consideration that the defendant was on remand for some time. Ahmad was sentenced to one year in prison and ordered to pay a $15,000 fine. The one year sentence was, however, suspended for two years.
