WILLIAM Mittelholzer, 41, of Lot ‘A’ Enachu Street, Section ‘K’ Campbellville, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday, charged with discharging a loaded firearm at his girlfriend. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the offence, particulars of which said, on March 17, in Werk-en-Rust, another part of Georgetown, he fired the loaded gun at Shafon Clement.
Police Sergeant Lionel Harvey, prosecuting, had no objection to bail but requested that a condition be attached.
He said the defendant had gone to the virtual complainant’s home to collect a vehicle and, when an argument ensued between them, the man drew a firearm from his waist and fired shots in the direction of the virtual complainant.
The prosecutor said Clement managed to escape unhurt but reported, in her statement, that a warhead was recovered although the investigating officer reported nothing was found.
Clement, in tears, said she is very fearful of the defendant since he threatened to kill her on more than one occasion.
The magistrate told Clement she can have a restraining order against the defendant and she can also make an official complaint to the Police Complaints Authority about the warhead that she said was handed over to a policeman.
The defendant was granted $250,000 bail and must report to Alberttown Police Station every week until the case is called, again, on May 11.
Earlier, defence counsel Glen Hanoman claimed that, because their relationship soured, the virtual complainant is now making false allegations against Mittelholzer to get back at him.
The lawyer said, when the man was arrested, ranks from the Police Narcotics Branch went to his home, claiming that the woman informed them that the defendant had drugs in his house. But nothing was found there and, later the same day, Mittelholzer was told he fired shots at the virtual complainant.
Other attorney-at-law Mr. Vic Puran, who appeared as a friend of Clement’s, told the court she is scared of the defendant and that the man is wanted by Suriname authorities for drug trafficking.