Ryan Weekes, a 38-year-old security guard from Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, appeared yesterday before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court to answer to the charge of discharging a loaded firearm with intent.
The charge alleges that on June 16, 2024, at D’Urban Backlands, Georgetown, Weekes discharged a loaded firearm at Jason Hardy with the intent to maim, disfigure, or disable him.
Weekes plead not guilty to the charge.
His attorney, Everton Singh-Lammy, informed the court that Weekes was stationed at a China Trading location in D’Urban Backlands on the day in question. According to Lammy, Weekes noticed Hardy collecting tiles that were placed outside the Chinese store. In an attempt to safeguard the property of the company he was assigned to, Weekes intervened to retrieve the tiles. A tussle reportedly ensued between the two men, which led to the firearm being discharged.
Singh-Lammy also argued that his client had been on station bail since the incident, which occurred six months ago, and expressed concern over the delay in bringing the matter to court. He also stated that Weekes was not a flight risk.
However, the prosecution objected to bail, claiming that Hardy was picking up broken tiles discarded by individuals across the road and not items belonging to the Chinese store. The prosecution further indicated that there is video evidence of the incident.
After considering the arguments, the magistrate granted Weekes bail in the sum of $150,000 along with the condition that he reports to the police until his next court appearance.