Cop jailed for discharging firearm, unlawful possession of ammo

TWENTY-eight-year-old Police Constable Ocquana Dawson, who is attached to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) was yesterday convicted for discharging a loaded firearm with intent to injure and unlawful possession of ammunition. 

Regarding the charge of discharging a firearm with intent, he was sentenced to 48 months imprisonment and for the unlawful possession of ammunition; he was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment along with a $50,000 fine.
The convict, who resides at Lot 100 Murphy Street, West Bank Demerara, was also charged with damage to property, but that charge was dismissed.
On June 12, 2013, Dawson pleaded not guilty to three charges before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and bail was refused.
He was represented by attorney-at-law, Mr. Lyndon Amsterdam and the case was transferred to Magistrate Judy Latchman’s court.
The prosecution’s case is that on February 18, 2013 at Globe Yard, Waterloo Street, Dawson discharged a firearm with intent to injure Phillip “Skinny” Small. The man was shot to his right thigh.
According to the facts of the case, Dawson had discharged three of the 15 rounds of ammunition that had been issued to him. However, he returned with 14 and checks later revealed that three of the rounds had not been issued by the police force.
The allegation said that on the same day he had also damaged the bulletproof vest he was wearing.
He was found not guilty for this offence, since it could not be determined in what condition the vest was given to the convict.
Magistrate Latchman said that the court believed beyond reasonable doubt that Dawson fired at the victim, based on the evidence before the court.
The court also believes beyond reasonable doubt that the convict had excess ammunition. Magistrate Latchman noted that any rank who keeps excess ammunition in his possession is in unlawful possession of same.
The court was satisfied based on the evidence that the convict was issued 15 rounds of ammunition but after discharging two live rounds, he returned to the station with 14.
In a mitigation plea, Dawson’s attorney Mr. Amsterdam told the court that his client was a serving member of the force and would accept whatever verdict was handed down by the court.
He added that as it relates to the discharging of a firearm, his client was in the situation where he was required to execute his duties. He asked the court to consider that his client acted in the heat of the moment.
The attorney begged the court not to impose a custodial penalty because his client is a serving member of the force. He said that throughout the trial his client was mannerly and had attended all court sessions.
Magistrate Latchman said before passing sentence that she had considered the mitigating factors along with the abrasive action by a member of the Police Force.

(By Geeta Rampersaud)

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