Twenty-seven-year-old Casey Chapman, a taxi driver of Lot 77 South Sophia; Sheldon Andrews, 24, a Guyana Water Inc (GWI) employee of West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, and 30-year-old Adam McDonald, a block maker of Wismar, Linden who were allegedly intercepted and busted with illegal firearms and ammunition were on Thursday arraigned for the offences.
The first charge stated that on November 26, 2018 at High and Princes Streets, Georgetown, they had in their possession one .32 pistol along with seven live
rounds of ammunition without being the licensed firearm holder of same.
Another charge read that on the said date and location, they had in their possession one 9mm pistol along with 12 live matching rounds of ammunition.
The three men denied the charges after they were read to them by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
Chapman was, however, slapped with additional charge of robbery, which stated that on July 5, 2018 at Rome Access Road, Georgetown while being in the company of another and armed with a gun, he robbed Marcia Martin of a cellphone, raw gold, cash, ATM cards, a licence and a handbag among other items.
He also denied the charge.
Chapman and Andrews were represented by Attorneys Dave Kissoon and Paul Fung-a-Fat respectively. They argued that their clients were not found with the illegal weapons and ammunition in their possession.
On the other hand, McDonald, who was unrepresented in an effort to defend himself, told the court that he was arrested without knowledge of the crime committed, and was only heading to meet his cousin.
Police Prosecutor Simone Payne objected to bail being granted, citing the seriousness of the charge, and the fact McDonald was previously implicated in similar offences.
However, the Chief Magistrate granted the men their pre-trial liberty for the sum of $200,000 each on the firearm-related charges and adjourned the matters to December 17, 2018.
Chapman was remanded to prison on the robbery charge for which he will make his second appearance at the Providence Magistrate’s Court on December 3, 2018.
