Man slapped with illegal gun charge, granted $150,000 bail

A 31-year-old man of Meadowbrook Housing Scheme, Georgetown was granted $150,000 bail after being charged with possession of a firearm without a license.
Darwin Bennons was allegedly caught with a Sig Sauer P365 9mm pistol on January 18 in Tucville, Georgetown.
Bennons, a father of three, appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged he had the firearm in his possession without being the holder of a firearm license.
According to the police, at around 23:00h on January 18, officers were on mobile patrol in the Tucville area when they heard two loud explosions resembling gunshots. Acting on the sound and information received, the ranks proceeded to Perry and Samaan Streets, where they observed three men running east along the street.

The ranks pursued the men and managed to apprehend Bennons, who was reportedly armed with the firearm in his right hand. Police stated that Bennons immediately handed over the weapon, a Sig Sauer P365 9mm pistol, when confronted. Upon inspecting the firearm, officers found it was unloaded, with no ammunition in the magazine.
A second man, an 18-year-old labourer from the same area, was also arrested during the operation. However, searches conducted at both suspects’ homes yielded no additional illegal items.
Both men were placed into custody but it was not stated if the third suspect was arrested.
During Bennons’ court appearance, his attorney, Domnick Bess, argued that his client had no prior convictions or pending cases before the court. Bess explained that Bennons was an innocent party caught up in an altercation on the night in question. He claimed that one of the suspects involved in the matter attempted to rob Bennons of his gold chain and other valuables.

According to Bess, a struggle ensued during which Bennons managed to disarm the suspect who was allegedly the one who initially had the firearm. Bess stated that his client told him that during the altercation, two rounds were discharged at him but he was not hit. The lawyer noted that when the police arrived, Bennons did not resist and voluntarily handed over the weapon.
Bess further highlighted that his client has one arm due to a prior accident, making him particularly vulnerable to such incidents. He argued that Bennons was an “easy target” and was only defending himself during the altercation.
The prosecution objected to bail, emphasising the seriousness of the offense and pointing out that Bennons had reportedly been found with the firearm in his possession at the scene. They argued that the offense posed a significant threat to public safety and stated that Bennons had previously been before the court.
Chief Magistrate Isaacs-McGusty, after considering the submissions, granted Bennons bail on the condition that he is required to report to the East La Penitence Police Station on the last Friday of every month between 09:00h and 18:00h.
The case has been adjourned to February 12.