A youth charged with possession of live ammunition was granted bail after a prosecutor told the court that the alleged ammunition was not yet tested.
Shemroy Williams, 19, of Lot 774 Section ‘B’ Pattensen, Turkeyen, was before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty yesterday when he pleaded not guilty to a charge which alleges that on December 16, 2020, he had a 9 mm round of live ammunition in his possession when he was not the lawful holder of a firearm licence in force at the time.
Williams was represented by attorney-at-law Adrian Thompson, who told the court that his client had been given the item for protection. He further stated that the round which looks like a live round of ammunition, was actually a toy which was attached to a band. He also told the court that the item was not for any criminal intention.
The Magistrate then asked the Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman whether the alleged ammunition was confirmed to be that and he responded by telling the court that the object was not yet tested. She then asked the prosecutor why Williams was charged if the police were not certain that the item was a live round of ammunition and he responded that the item was found on the youth and would be examined to confirm what it was.
The prosecutor also objected to Williams being released on bail. He told the Magistrate that even with no examination of the item being done to show that it was in fact a live round of ammunition, he reminded that if it is what the police suspect it to be, the penalty attracted would be substantial.
The Magistrate then released Williams on $50,000 bail and instructed him to return to court on January 22, 2020.
