Former Toshao’s wife slapped with larceny charge

…allegedly lent husband’s gun to hunters

The wife of former Toshao of Kurupukari Village, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) was on Wednesday afternoon taken before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged for what her attorney deemed to be a “mistaken case” of larceny.

It is alleged that Christina Peters on April 7, 2017 at the Amerindian village of Kurupukari, stole one shotgun valued $120,000, property of Virtual Complainant (VC) Albertino Peters.

Christina Peters, who was represented by Attorney Jerome Khan, denied the charge read to her by the Magistrate. The lawyer in a bail application related that his client was a 57-year-old mother of six and a church leader in the community. Khan added that his client was the wife of the VC and on the day in question, had lent the weapon to two men in order that they may go hunting to supply the village’s feeding programme, which she was actively involved in.

He continued that as the men proceeded across the river, they were spotted by Police in the area and were subsequently detained, and the gun with matching ammunition was found in their possession.

The court was told that Christina Peters then reportedly confessed to lending the weapon, explaining that the village’s supply of meat was declining and she had lent the gun to the men in the hope they would return with meat to keep the programme going which the elderly and young were dependent upon.

The defence counsel argued that the weapon was never reported as stolen. He said that the VC was a licensed firearm holder, and it was never the intention of his client to “steal” the gun.

According to the lawyer, his client also has a medical condition of undisclosed nature and he requested that she be granted bail in these special circumstances; adding that one of her daughters was set to be wed on Easter Monday.

Bail was set in the sum of $15,000, and the matter was transferred to Lethem Magistrate’s Court to be continued on June 6.

Meanwhile, the court also saw the appearance of the two farmers of Kurupukari Village to whom the gun was allegedly lent.

It is alleged that Elbo Felix had in his possession two 12-gauge cartridges without being the holder of a firearm licence.

Gilbert Williams, on the other hand, was charged for having in his possession a 12-gauge shotgun while not being a licensed firearm holder, on the same day at the said village.

Attorney Khan also represented the men. In a bail application, the lawyer told the court that his clients were 51 and 30 years old respectively. He said that both men have a permanent place of abode in the indigenous community of Kurupukari. The men’s hunting trip, he related, was aborted when they were arrested by Police Officers in relation to the shotguns and ammunition found on their person.

The Attorney, in a bail application, stated that his clients were both first-time offenders, asserting that there was “no knowledge” on their part. He explained to the court that despite the presumption that “ignorance of the law is no excuse”, the society in which Indigenous people co-exist was somewhat special, as these communities operate in such a way persons were always willing to assist each other.

Magistrate McLennan remanded the men to the Camp Street Prison after finding no special basis on which to grant bail. The matter will continue on June 6, at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court.