Amelia’s Ward man freed of firearm, ammunition charges

An Amelia’s Ward, Linden man walked out of the Linden Magistrate’s Court a free man on Tuesday after he was found not guilty of three illegal possession of firearm and ammunition charges.
The cases against Avmed Dial, also called “Bucko”, of 5034 Phase 2. Amelia’s Ward were dismissed by Magistrate Clive Nurse.
It was alleged that Dial had a .32 Taurus Magnum revolver, serial number TB12429, at his Amelia’s Ward home on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, without being the holder of a firearm licence at the time.
It was also alleged that on the said date, he had at his home five rounds of .32 ammunition for an automatic weapon and 20 rounds of .32 Magnum ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence.
Reports of the offence had stated that Police went to the logger’s home, a two- storey wood and concrete house, on May 10, 2017 and found under the floor on the beam, a box containing 20 rounds of .32 ammunition. Further searches in a pen containing scrap metal at the back of the yard unearthed a .32 H&R Magnum Taurus Revolver and six rounds of .32 ammunition in a black plastic bag concealed among the scrap metal.
Dial was represented by Attorney Gordon Gilhuys, who argued during the trial on March 12, that other people resided at the home where the firearm and ammunition were found, and the prosecution had failed to establish that the firearm belonged to the defendant.
Magistrate Nurse ruled in favour of the 42-year-old Dial, stating that there was not enough evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant was guilty of the offences.