Boat captain gets 2-year suspended sentence for illegal gun, ammo possession

…fined $100,000

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday handed down a two-year suspended sentence to a senior Werk-en-rust resident after he was slapped with two firearm related charges at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Joseph Allen, 64, pleaded guilty to both charges after it was read to him. The first allegation against him detailed that on July 2, 2019 at Mabaruma Police Station, Region One (Barima-Waini), he had in his possession 11 rounds of 9mm ammunition without being the holder of a firearm license at the time.
The other charge detailed that on the said date and location he also had in his possession a 9mm pistol without being the holder of a firearm license at the time.
In his client’s defence, attorney-at-law Ronald Daniels informed the Court that Allen is a licensed boat captain and on the day in question, he was following instructions given to him by his employer (vessel owner).
The Court heard that Allen was instructed to bring the handgun to a location in Kumaka, Region One, so that its license can be renewed; however, whilst on his way, Police ranks suspected him to be a fuel smuggler and took him into custody.
After such, a search was conducted and the said weapon was found, it was then that Allen related to them the reason for him carrying the gun.
Nevertheless, Police facts by Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield contended that on the day in question, Police ranks of the Mabaruma Police Station responded to a report of simple larceny and it was at that time, Allen was arrested and subsequently searched.
However, Chief Magistrate fined the defendant $50,000 on each charge together with a two-year suspended sentence, also on each charge.