Ex Cop jailed for illegal gun, ammo

Jul 16, 2016 News

JAILED: Tito Benons

Former cop, Tito Benons, was jailed for a total of four years after he was found guilty for the offences of possession of illegal firearm and ammunition at the conclusion of a trial yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The former Police Constable who said he was attached to the Berbice Anti Crime Unit was convicted for being in possession of an unlicensed Smith and Wesson pistol. He was also convicted for having 15 rounds of live ammunition on March 26, last, at Norton Street and Louisa Row, Georgetown.
He was sentenced to two years imprisonment on each charge and fined a total of $100,000. The prison terms will run concurrently.
Benons begged trial Magistrate Fabayo Azore for mercy. He pleaded with her to give him another chance and told her that he came from a broken home.
The convict explained that he was a teacher before joining the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
On the day in question, traffic ranks stopped and searched Benons and found the illegal weapon on him. He told the officers that the gun belonged to him and that it was for his protection.
During his defence, Benons gave sworn testimony and told the court that he had found the gun while riding along Cemetery Road, Georgetown. He testified that as he was making his way along Louisa Row, Georgetown he was intercepted by police. He said that he identified himself to Constable George as a policeman and told him that he had found the gun and was taking it to the Brickdam Police Station to be lodged.
However, Benons related that Constable George did not believe that he was a policeman and escorted him to the aforementioned station in a police vehicle. He had told the court that he was taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where he was handed over to Sergeant Sarrabo whom he told a story.
During her ruling, Magistrate told the court that she disbelieved the story told by Benons and relied on the evidence given by Police Prosecutor, Stephen Telford.
The Magistrate ruled that Telford had proven the elements of the offences beyond a reasonable doubt. She stated that she believed Constable George stopped Benons who failed to identify himself as a police officer and report the gun.
Magistrate Azore told the court that she did not believe that Benons was taken to the Brickdam Police Station since there was a police outpost nearby. This evidence, she said, was supported by two witnesses Benons called to testify on his behalf.
Before handing down sentencing, the Magistrate said that she took all mitigating factors into consideration coupled with the prevalence and penalty attached to the offences.
He made his first appearance on March 30, and pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

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