With Geeta Rampersaud

Lindener on unlawful possession of arms, ammunition charges denied bail

THIRTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD Lloyd Johnson of Lot 184 Wismar, Linden, Region 10 appeared on Wednesday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition charges which allege that on November 26, at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, he had in his possession one .32 revolver when he was not a licensed firearm holder; that he had in his possession three live rounds of .32 ammunition without lawful authority; and that he discharged a loaded firearm at police rank Leslie Eastman with intent to maim, disfigure, or cause actual bodily harm as Eastman was about to detain him into lawful custody.

Johnson was not required to plead to the charges, but Police Prosecutor Michael Grant successfully objected to bail being granted Johnson on grounds of the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offences, and that extreme violence had been used in commission of the offences.

Grant told the court that on the day in question, ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), acting on information, contacted the accused in relation to a robbery. Upon seeing the ranks, Johnson opened fire, resulting in a confrontation.

He was hit on his arm and was then hospitalised for the injuries he sustained, but was later placed on bail. The matter was further investigated and then sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.
The Chief Magistrate inquired why the accused was only now being brought to court, and the prosecutor responded that the accused had failed to report to the CID headquarters on given dates, and after advice was received, ranks had made numerous futile efforts to contact the accused.
Johnson had reportedly gone to the CID on Tuesday to enquiry about a return of his bail where the charges which were advised were laid.

Johnson’s attorney, Ms. Denise Hodge, told the court that her client is the sole breadwinner for his family and has been diagnosed with a serious illness.

The defence version of the facts alleged that on the day of the incident, Johnson was in the company of other persons when some unknown persons came and told him not to move; and after he had seen guns, he became fearful.

The accused told the court that he was charged before but was never convicted for any offence, but he did not state the nature of his prior charges.

Prosecutor Grant again requested that the accused be refused bail, since he did not give the court any special reason why he should be granted bail. Bail was denied and the matters were transferred to the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.