AN ASSISTANT Parliament Clerk was one of two defendants who appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Monday, charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition at Lot 315 ‘BB’ Eccles, East Bank of Demerara.Candacy Girard, whose official function in the National Assembly is with the Special Committee of Parliament made her appearance with Andrew Kirton and they both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
One charge said, on Saturday, January 25, at Lot 315 ‘BB’ Eccles, they had one .23 pistol and 10 live matching rounds, without being holders of a firearm licences.
Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, successfully, objected to bail, citing the nature and prevalence of the offence and the case was transferred to Providence Court for today.
No knowledge
Attorney-at-law, Ms. Latchmi Rahamat, representing the duo, said they had no knowledge of the firearm and ammunition.
She said ranks were conducting raids at ‘Tiger Bay’, Agricola and Eccles, picked up the defendants earlier that day and took them on joy ride.
According to her, during the search they were taken to Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, where they were told that the weapon was found in a jacket behind the bedroom door.
But Defence Counsel said her clients do not reside at the Eccles address stated by the police but at another place.
Counsel pointed out that both defendants have unblemished records but they were still refused bail overnight.