Latest update September 11th, 2026 10:26 AM
‘Gun in barrel’ accused remanded
Sixty-nine year-old Compton Paul of New Amsterdam, Berbice, appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry, yesterday, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, to answer to the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm.
It is alleged that on Monday, last, the accused had in his possession one Winchester 12 Gauge shotgun, without being the holder of a shotgun licence.
The defendant, who was represented by attorney at law Michael Somersall, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The lawyer in a bail application told the court that his client is an overseas-based citizen. He said that the defendant is a farmer and is currently a holder of a shotgun licence.
According to Somersall, his client went to Canada where he purchased the shotgun, and posted it to Guyana in a barrel.
He said that when the man returned to Guyana, he thought to himself, that since he already had a shotgun licence, the same documentation provided coverage for the newly purchased gun.
The lawyer stated that his client had no intention to smuggle the weapon. He said that the man informed the custom officer about the weapon.
Somersall added that his client had no previous convictions, thus the Magistrate should grant reasonable bail.
However, Police Prosecutor Stephen Telford objected to bail on the grounds of the evidence against the defendant. He told the court that Paul has a licence for a single barrel shotgun, but he was not in possession of a licence for the gun he bought in Canada.
Telford indicated that before Paul posted the barrel, he should have sought permission from the Guyana Police Force or the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Telford said that on the day in question, the defendant went to the Muneshwer Wharf to clear a barrel, when custom officers observed the weapon, while they conducted a search. He mentioned that the man was handed over to police ranks, when he did not produce a licence for the weapon.
Telford stated that an investigation was carried out and the defendant was subsequently charged of the offence. He added that the Magistrate should refuse bail and set a date for the commencement of a trial.
The Magistrate refused bail and ordered the man to make his next court appearance on December 17.
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