Thirty-seven-year-old Vandell Skeete, of Lot 446 Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara, appeared virtually via Zoom at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Magistrate Rhondell Weever where he was jailed for four years after being charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
It was alleged that on February 19, at D’Urban Street, Georgetown, the defendant had in his possession, a pistol without being the holder of a valid firearm licence in force at the time.
It is also alleged that on February 19, at D’Urban Street, Georgetown, the defendant also had in his possession 20 rounds of .40 ammunition without being the holder of a valid firearm licence.
The court heard that on the day in question, Skeete, who was the sole occupant of motorcar PXX 6524, was spotted on D’Urban Street at about 1500 hours by a police patrol. The ranks, acting on information received, intercepted the vehicle and conducted a search in the presence of the defendant. During the search a .40 pistol was discovered in the front passenger seat and Skeete was asked if he was the holder of a valid firearm licence to which he replied in the negative.
The defendant was taken along with the pistol and ammunition to the Alberttown Police Station and subsequently charged.
He was found guilty after a trial and sentenced to two years imprisonment on each charge. The two sentences are to run concurrently.
