TWENTY-three-year-old labourer Joel Johnson appeared Tuesday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry to answer charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, wherein it was alleged that (1): On April 12, at Arakaka in the Barima-Waini Region, he had in his possession seven live rounds of .38 ammunition when he was not a licensed firearm holder; and (2): On the same day at Arakaka, he also had in his possession one .38 pistol when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.The prosecution’s facts are that Johnson is employed at a shop in Arakaka, and on the day in question, he visited a nearby shop to meet his female friend. After an argument had ensued between the two, Johnson pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot the woman.

The fearful woman then made a report to the police, and ranks visited the shop where the father of one works and unearthed the firearm and ammunition after a search was conducted.

The unrepresented Johnson related that the gun was given to him by his employer, Rhonda Samuels, for security purposes.

He alleged that the police had assaulted him during the process of searching, and had allegedly told him they would continue assaulting him if he did not surrender the gun.

He also contended that he had given his female friend one of the rounds, and she had given same to someone, who had then taken the ammunition to the police.

Johnson informed the court that he had previously faced an assault charge, but was not convicted for the offence.

The magistrate sentenced Johnson to two years’ imprisonment on each charge, which will run concurrently, and fined him $100,000.