Agricola man gets bail on illegal gun, ammo charges
After denying having a gun and several rounds of ammunition in his possession illegally, a construction worker was granted $350,000 bail on Monday.
At the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, 22-year-old Keon Narine of Lot 117 Caesar Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown, made an appearance before Magistrate Dylon Bess.
He refuted the first complaint, which claimed that he had a 9mm pistol in his possession on January 16, 2024, at Caesar Street, Agricola, despite not having a valid firearm licence.
According to the other two allegations, he was not the holder of a firearm licence on the aforementioned date when he was found with seven rounds of 9mm ammunition. Attorney Paul Fung-a-Fat represented Narine, who pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In a bail request, Narine’s Attorney told the Magistrate that his client had not been discovered in possession of the firearm or ammunition. According to the Attorney, his client saw the Police that day while he was sitting on a bridge near Caesar Street and ran away.
The lawyer said that the gun was found not far from where Narine had been seated.
Fung-a-Fat further claimed that his client was detained for more than the mandated 72 hours and Police ranks physically assaulted him. Given the gravity and frequency of the crime, the Police Prosecutor vehemently objected to Narine’s release on bail.
Narine not being licensed to carry a gun was confirmed by the Police Force’s Criminal Records Office, according to the Police Prosecutor. The Prosecutor stated that she planned to show the court video footage that showed the accused holding a handgun.
The prosecution stated that Narine admitted to the offences in a caution statement. Following consideration of the arguments presented by both sides, Magistrate Bess ordered Narine to post $350,000 bail. Narine will have to return to court on February 13, 2024.
When Narine appeared in court on Monday, he was also charged with robbery under arms. However, the charge against him was dismissed after his father opted to compensate the victim.
It was stated that while he was armed with a gun on December 27, 2023, at Middle Street, McDoom, Greater Georgetown, Narine robbed Ivan Hutson of two gold chains valued at $300,000. The items belong to Hutson.
In court, Hutson informed the presiding Magistrate that he wanted to settle the matter and that Narine’s father would give him some of the chain’s value on Monday and the rest over the course of the next several months. Because of his evidence, the charge was dismissed.
Magistrate Bess said that he would oversee the payment of the remaining sum provided that Hutson and Narine’s father presented a promissory note from a Justice of the Peace to the court.