GUYANA Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal Devon Harris appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday, on charges of simple larceny and unlawful possession of firearm. The 34-year-old defendant, of Friendship, pleaded not guilty to the offence that said, between Friday, December 27, 2013 and Saturday, January 4, 2014, at Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri, also on East Bank Demerara, being employed with the GDF, he stole one ‘Fabric National’ pistol valued $35,000.
He also denied that on January 4, at Friendship, too, he had possession of the pistol when he was not the holder of a licence at the time.
Police Corporal Bharat Mangru, prosecuting, told the Court that the defendant is a serving member of the GDF at Base Camp Stephenson and, when a physical check was done, it was discovered that the firearm was missing and Harris was not authorised to have it in his possession while off duty.
The prosecutor, successfully, opposed bail, urging the Court to find that the reasons being stated by the Defence are not enough for the grant.
He said the firearm was found at the defendant’s Friendship home and mentioned the prevalence of the offence and the penalty attached.
Earlier, Defence Counsel Patrice Henry said Harris has in excess of 12 years service with the Army and was one of the arms store employees.
The lawyer said, from the time Harris has been working in the arms store, he had this firearm in his possession and, based on counsel’s instructions, with regard to some difficulties Harris is facing in the GDF, someone has decided to charge him.
Counsel, requesting reasonable bail, said the defendant is married with two children and has no difficulty with attending his trial.
He also requested that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
However, Harris was refused pre-trial freedom and the case was transferred to Providence Court, on East Bank Demerara, too, for January 13.