Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 14, 2014 News
A teenage boy, who was arrested earlier this year at his West Ruimveldt home after an illegal gun and matching ammunition were found in his bedroom, was jailed yesterday.
Eighteen-year-old Alex Mendonca was on January 21, last, busted with a .32 Taurus semi-automatic pistol and 26 rounds of matching ammunition by police ranks who searched his residence at Vlissengen Road.
Wellington, who appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday, was jailed for 48 months on each charge.
According to reports, on the day in question, a party of police ranks, acting on information received, went to Mendonca’s home. At the door, the ranks reportedly rapped, but found that it was open, so they entered the house where they met Mendonca’s mother. They asked for him and she reportedly informed them that her son was in his bedroom sleeping.
The ranks then proceeded to Mendonca’s bedroom and rapped, but that door was also open so they entered the room and met him inside. At that point, the ranks informed the teenager of the reason they were in his bedroom and proceeded to conduct a search of his dwelling space.
It was explained that it was under a pile of clothes that the gun and ammunition were found. The police had reportedly asked the teen whether he was the holder of the firearm licence and he responded in the negative.
The teen was taken into custody and charged with Illegal Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition.
Two days after the discovery, Mendonca appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry where he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The case was transferred for trial to Magistrate Latchman. The team for the Prosecution team was led by Police Inspector, Joel Ricknauth.
As he closed the Prosecution’s case on Tuesday, Ricknauth urged the court to find that the persons Mendonca called to lead his defence were “witnesses of convenience.” He affirmed that the Prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and asked the court to find that Mendonca was indeed in possession of an illegal gun and ammunition.
The Prosecution asked the court to rely on the evidence and find Mendonca guilty as charged. Following his submission, the case was set for ruling.
Returning her verdict yesterday, Magistrate Latchman found the teen guilty and sentenced him to 48 months in prison on each charge. He was also fined $60,000.
The jail terms will run concurrently.
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