Farmer remanded for possession of ammo, unlicensed firearm

A North Rupununi farmer was remanded to prison on Monday when he appeared before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, for the possession of ammunition and an unlicensed shotgun.

According to the charges, Randolph Andries, 38, of Toka Village Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), was allegedly found on January 19, 2017 with 120- and 112-gauge spent shells, 120-gauge cartridges and a 120-gauge shotgun, without being the holder of a firearm licence. He pleaded not guilty to all four charges when they were read to him by the Chief Magistrate at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The counsel for the defendant requested reasonable bail on the grounds that Andries was a hardworking father of five and a first-time offender with no previous brushes with the law; hence he was not a flight risk. The prosecution objected to bail and Chief Magistrate McLennan remanded Andries to prison. The matter will continue on March 7, 2017 at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court.