Miner remanded for illegal gun

Feb 16, 2016 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

A miner was remanded to prison after he was allegedly found with an illegal firearm and ammunition last

Don Fraser

Thursday, at Issano Backdam, Mazaruni River. He appeared yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
Don Fraser, 26, of 53 Third Avenue, Bartica, is accused of having a single barrel Remington 12 gauge shotgun in his possession on February 11, when he was not the holder of a firearm licence. It was further alleged that on the same day at the said location, he had two 12 gauge rounds in his possession.
Fraser, who operates a dredge in the interior, pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read to him.
Attorney Latchmie Rahamat petitioned for her client to be released on bail. According to Rahamat, special circumstances arise surrounding her client’s arrest. She told the court that on the date in question, police searched Fraser’s camp and found no illegal items. The lawyer explained that a while later lawmen searched some bushes outside of her client’s camp and unearthed the items.
Rahamat argued that the defendant had no reason to be carrying an illegal gun since he is a licensed firearm holder. According to the lawyer, anyone passing along the trail could have placed the gun there. Attorney Rahamat told the court that two persons have so far provided police with statements saying that the gun was indeed found in the bushes and not in her client’s camp. Fraser’s lawyer argued that her client was kept in custody beyond 72 hours and she was assured by the Divisional Commander of that area that Fraser would not have been charged.
Rahamat further informed the court that her client is not a flight risk and has an unblemished criminal record.
However, Police Prosecutor Corporal Deniro Jones was opposed to the defendant being granted pre-trial liberty. He contended that no special reasons were put forward by the defence for bail to be considered by the court.
Jones related that on the day in question, police acting on information went to the defendant’s camp where they conducted a search but found nothing. The Prosecutor said that based on further information officers searched the bushes and found the gun hidden in a length of wood.
Jones stated that Fraser orally confessed to ownership of the firearm and ammunition.
This matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for February 25.