Latest update May 10th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 09, 2015 News
With public security as her main priority, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan remanded a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal and three other men to prison for possession of illegal rounds and firearms stashed in a motorcar on Robb Street, Georgetown.
They were arrested by a police patrol.
Lance Corporal, Aaron Eastman,27, of 148 Grove Housing Scheme; Mark Anthony, 22, of Lot 1238 Canje Pheasant Place, South Ruimveldt; Andrew Davis Hescott, 35, of 155 Middle Road La Penitence; and 27-year-old mason, Ryan Hescott, pleaded not guilty to the charges read to them.
The first charge alleged that on December 5, last, at Robb Street, Georgetown, they had in their possession seven rounds of ammunition without being the holders of firearm licenses. It was further alleged that the men had two firearms in their possession, when they were not holders of firearm licenses.
According to reports, on December 5, police ranks on operation dragnet stopped a motorcar on Robb Street, after observing its occupants acting in a suspicious manner. They conducted a search of the vehicle, which was reported to be bearing an obscure number plate. The lawmen unearthed the guns and ammunitions hidden in various parts of the car.
Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones told the court yesterday, that concerned citizens saw the defendants in a motor car on Robb Street, acting in a suspicious manner. Jones said that the police were summoned and cornered the vehicle, driven by the soldier. The prosecutor stated that the GDF officer was at the time wearing a black hoodie.
Jones informed the court that the vehicle was searched and the police found a .32 revolver with matching rounds under the front passenger’s seat. Jones said that the car was further searched and a 12 gauge Sawn-off shot gun was unearthed from under the driver’s seat.
The prosecutor said that he is awaiting a fingerprint report.
According to Jones, Andrew Davis Hescott has been positively identified in a series of armed robberies. More charges are likely to be laid against him soon.
Seated at the bar table were Attorneys Peter Hugh, Mark Waldron and Adrian Thompson. In his address to the court, Waldron explained that on the date in question, his client, Eastman was driving a motorcar.
He stated that the bag was found in the rear of the vehicle. The bag, Waldron said, contained the firearm and matching ammo.
Waldron acknowledged the fact that special reasons must be put forward in order for his client to be admitted to bail. On this notion, he argued that the bag with the alleged firearm and ammo was never found in his client’s possession. The lawyer also argued that Eastman’s fingerprints were not found on the gun.
Additionally, the attorney informed the court that his client has been a member of the GDF for the past 10 years. He said that he is stationed at Camp Ayanganna and drives the GDF ambulance.
Attorney Thompson represented Andrew Davis Hescott. Thompson told the court that at the time of the incident his client was a passenger in the vehicle. He argued that the articles mentioned in the charge and the vehicle do not belong to his client.
He also informed the court that his client has no pending matters or previous convictions.
Attorney at Law, Peter Hugh, who represented Ryan Hescott, said that his client has no pending matters before the court. However, he related that his client was convicted before on an armed robbery charge.
Hugh contended that his client was also a passenger in the vehicle. He said that Hescott never admitted to ownership and knowledge of the articles, even though he was abused by the police. The lawyer added that the police are unable to prove if any of the defendants were in possession of the articles.
Anthony had no legal representation. He claimed that the police assaulted him and the other defendants. He alleged that on the day of the arrest, he was walking in the area when he was stopped and searched by the police, who later arrested him. The defendant has denied having knowledge of what was contained in the bag.
The prosecutor strongly objected to the men being granted their pre- trail liberty on the ground that no special reasons were put forward by the lawyers to satisfy the court. This objection was upheld by the Magistrate, who remanded them to prison, after taking into consideration the safety of the public and the need to prevent the men from committing any offence.
The quartet will make its next court appearance on January 6, before City Magistrate Judy Latchman.
It is disgusting that our teachers have to protest in the streets for a…
May 10, 2024
– President Ali visits Guyana National Stadium By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – Yesterday, the National Assembly successfully passed the ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies Bill, 2024,...Kaieteur News – This column does not respond to criticisms, except where there is misrepresentation of what was said... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
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]