Indigenous farmer on bail for illegal firearm

…no space in prison constitutes special
reasons – Chief Magistrate

Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore objected to bail on the grounds that no special reasons were provided by the defendant to which Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan responded that the current situation of the prison system is sufficient reason for Indigenous farmer Samuel James of Baramita, Region One (Barima-Waini), to be released on bail for the non-violent offence allegedly committed before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday afternoon.
James was allegedly busted with a 16-gauge shotgun while not being the holder of a firearm licence, on July 11, 2017, at William Place, Baramita when Police acting on information visited his home and conducted a raid therein leading to the discovery of the firearm in the bedroom between “two posts”. This is according to the Prosecution’s case.
As the prosecution granted the application of the Administrative Justice Act (AJA), a not guilty plea was entered by the court on behalf of the accused who was heard saying, “I’m sorry, it is not my gun.”
He was released on $50,000 bail and the matter was transferred to the Matthew’s Ridge Magistrate’s Court to be heard on August 9, 2017.