Charlestown farmer granted bail for illegal firearm, ammo possession

A Charlestown farmer was on Wednesday granted bail after being charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. The case was heard before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The accused, 34-year-old Keith Collymore, was arrested on July 21 at a club in Albouystown, Georgetown, where police allegedly found a 9mm pistol and five matching rounds of ammunition in his possession. He was not the holder of a firearm licence at the time.

Collymore pleaded not guilty to both charges when he appeared in court.
His attorney, in a bail application, described him as a cattle farmer with strong community ties and a fixed address in Charlestown.
She told the court that Collymore is the sole breadwinner for his family, has no prior convictions, and has been cooperative with law enforcement since his arrest.
“He is not a flight risk; he is known in his community, and he is willing to comply with any reporting condition the court imposes,” the attorney said, requesting reasonable bail.
However, the prosecutor objected, citing the serious nature of the offence and alleging that the weapon was discovered on Collymore’s person.
Despite the prosecution’s objection, Collymore was granted bail in the sum of $300,000, $150,000 for each charge.
Magistrate McGusty also questioned the quality of the police investigation, particularly after the prosecutor failed to present a signed statement from the arresting officer.
As a condition of his release, Collymore must report to the Ruimveldt Police Station on the last Friday of every month until the matter is resolved.
The case was adjourned to August 20 for a report.