Ron Fletchman, a mechanic and father of two, who has been accused of illegal possession of ammunition, has been placed on bail in the amount of $100,000 by Chief Magistrate (ag) Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in that Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that on January 13, at Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, the 46-year-old Fletchman was found in possession of 11 rounds of 9mm ammunition and one round of.233 ammunition when he was not the holder of a firearm licence. Represented by a lawyer, Fletchman has refuted the charge.
The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) had released a statement to the media detailing that, on the day in question, an operation was carried out in Wortmanville, Georgetown by CANU ranks acting on information received. During that operation, a search conducted on Fletchman, of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara, had led to the discovery of several types of ammunition.
According to the Police prosecutor in presenting the evidence in court, the defendant had responded in the negative when asked by CANU ranks whether he had a gun licence. As a result, he was arrested, and taken along with the ammo to CANU Headquarters. Thereafter, he was handed over to the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
The Police prosecutor had objected to Fletchman being released on bail because of the gravity and frequency of the offence, and because there was no exceptional circumstance that satisfied the provisions of the Firearms Act to release him on bail.
Fletchman’s lawyer had, however, informed the court that the ammunition was not found on his client; rather, it was found on a table at the residence his client was visiting.
Fletchman has been granted bail pending the hearing and determination of his trial.
He will appear in court again on February 21. (G1)
