Handel Gravesande appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence.
It was alleged that on September 16, at Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, Gravesande had in his possession one 9mm pistol without a serial number and 10 live rounds of 9mm ammunition, without being the holder of a firearm licence.
He pled not guilty to the charge.
Gravesande was represented by attorney-at-law Dominick Bess who told the court that on the day in question, the firearm was not found on his client but rather in a taxi that was parked in front of his home. According to Bess, when police conducted their search, the firearm was discovered hidden under the taxi.
The prosecution objected to bail, informing the magistrate that on the day in question, officers intercepted the car that Gravesande was in. Upon contacting him and conducting a search, five live rounds were found in his pants pocket. A further search of the vehicle revealed a gun hidden under the car, and in the magazine of the gun were five matching rounds.
Bess however disputed the prosecution’s facts regarding the ammunition found in the magazine and argued that special circumstances existed for the granting of bail.
The magistrate concurred and bail was granted in the sum of $200,000 with reporting conditions.
The matter was adjourned to October 16.
