Port Kaituma man remanded for illegal firearm, ammo

A Port Kaituma man was on Tuesday afternoon remanded to prison when he faced Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, charged for the illegal possession of a firearm and matching ammunition.

It is alleged that Caryl Price, 25, on February 23, 2017 at Fitzburg Sports Ground, Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), was in possession of one 9 mm pistol along with 12 matching live rounds, without being the holder of a firearm licence.

Defence Attorney James Bond argued that his client was a first-time offender with no previous brushes with the law. He related that Price was arrested on Thursday last, in relation to the charges brought against him. He also argued that the firearm was not found in the possession of his client, but rather in the vicinity of numerous persons, inclusive of the accused.

Bond continued that his client was not a flight risk and was well-known to Police Officers as a law-abiding citizen. Price also reportedly suffers from hypertension which had caused him to collapse and be hospitalised twice since his detention. The Attorney thereby requested reasonable bail for his client in these special circumstances.

Contrary to the defence’s position, Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones related to the court that the firearm and ammunition were found on Mash Day in the possession of the defendant, who was naturally surrounded by others at the said sports ground. Bail was refused by the Magistrate in these circumstances and Price was remanded to prison until May 9, 2017 when the matter would proceed to trial.