ALFRED Benjamin (no address given) appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman, yesterday, charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. The defendant pleaded guilty to the offence, particulars of which said, on March 16, at America and Water Streets, Georgetown, he had a knife without lawful authority and could not give a reasonable explanation for carrying it.
Benjamin told the Court he recently got a job working in the fish pond at the back of Stabroek Market, and that day his cousin called him for them to meet and he went.
He said while he was where they met, a car struck him, and as vendors in the area argued with the vehicle driver, police, who were nearby, asked him what he had in his waist.
The defendant said the police then conducted a search of his person and found the knife, but although he informed them that he used the blade to cut fish, they still arrested him.
The magistrate changed his plea to not guilty after hearing his explanation, put him on $10,000 bail and postponed the case to April 14.