Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Stolen army gun…

Nov 26, 2008 News

Soldier takes 5 years’ jailed


…for protecting senior officer

A serving member of the Guyana Defence Force, Travis Sobers, 23, was yesterday jailed for five years after pleading guilty to a number of gun-related offences.
He made his court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton.
It is alleged that the defendant, between November 14 and 17, at Ramp Road, Ruimveldt, stole one 9mm pistol, valued at $125,000, property of the Guyana Defence Force.
It is also alleged that, in the same period, Sobers had in his possession one 9mm pistol without being the holder of a firearm licence, and fifty rounds of matching ammunition. It is further alleged that he stole the ammunition from the Guyana Defence Force. He pleaded guilty to all the charges.
According to police prosecutor Desiree Fowler, between November 14 and 17, the defendant, who is a serving member of the Guyana Defence Force, was attached to the Coast Guard section of the force.
She stated that it was alleged that the defendant, while being on board the GDFS Essequibo, stole one 9mm pistol and fifty rounds of matching ammunition.
She further stated that, after stealing the said gun, he gave it to his friend, Kevin Martin.  Martin was charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition, to which he pleaded not guilty when he appeared before the same magistrate yesterday. He was remanded to prison, and is to return to court on April 7 next year.
After the gun was discovered missing by one Lieutenant Mc Lean, an investigation was conducted by the Guyana Defence Force.
On conclusion of the investigation, Sobers was handed over to the police, who charged him with the offences.
His lawyer, James Bond, noted that his client had sought to come clean for his “transgressions,” and is throwing himself at the mercy of the court. Bond said that the accused is only 23 years old and has been a member of the Guyana Defence Force for the last nine months.
He said that the court must see his client’s honesty, and he noted that the facts would show that, upon his arrest, he had supplied members of the Guyana Defence Force with pertinent information which led to the recovery of the missing gun.
The lawyer further stated that his client has an outstanding performance level, adding that he was even accepted to sail with the USS Kearsarge.
The lawyer claims that the gun and ammunition were given to him by a senior officer in the Guyana Defence Force, and he (Sobers) is protecting that same officer.
He said that his client is willing to take whatever penalties are meted out to him, and is therefore asking for a lenient sentence, so that he can still contribute to society in his younger days.
The defendant was sentenced to two years for stealing the firearm.
He was further sentenced to three years each on the possession of firearm and the ammunition charges.
These charges also incurred a $150,000 fine.
As for stealing the ammunition, he was jailed for 18 months. The sentences would run concurrently, so the defendant would only serve a maximum of five years.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Rutherford gets big payday from Gujarat Titans at IPL 2025 Mega Auction; Shepherd, Powell snapped up by RCB and KKR, respectively

Rutherford gets big payday from Gujarat Titans at IPL 2025 Mega...

Nov 26, 2024

  SportsMax – Guyanese hard-hitting left hander Sherfane Rutherford will get the opportunity to shine on T20 franchise cricket’s biggest stage once again after being picked up by the...
Read More
Roach and Seales star as West Indies close in on Antigua Test victory

Roach and Seales star as West Indies close in on...

Nov 26, 2024

Delroy Tyrrell continues to excel at Oneonta State University

Delroy Tyrrell continues to excel at Oneonta...

Nov 26, 2024

Ramdass Royals Crowned Champions of the Inaugural Windies Masters Cricket Extravaganza

Ramdass Royals Crowned Champions of the Inaugural...

Nov 26, 2024

KFC Guyana distance self from delayed payment of GFF Elite League prizes

KFC Guyana distance self from delayed payment of...

Nov 26, 2024

Ravens and Royals ready for epic Elite 16 final showdown

Ravens and Royals ready for epic Elite 16 final...

Nov 26, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]