A 27-YEAR-OLD security officer was yesterday jailed for 10 years after he was found guilty of having an unlicensed firearm, along with matching ammunition.Edward McCollin of South Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara, was jailed by City Magistrate Judy Latchman after she found him guilty of having a .22 revolver and 19 matching rounds in his possession on December 20, 2015 at Georgetown, without being the holder of a firearm licence.

McCollin provided security for Baksh Mining Company.

He was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on each of two charges, along with a $70,000 fine for the offences. However, the sentences will run concurrently, which means that he will serve only five years in jail.

The prosecution stated that on the day in question, police ranks on a mobile patrol saw the defendant at the August beverage place in Princes Street with the gun, and he tried to chat with the females to divert the lawmen’s attention.

When ranks approached McCollin, he told them he was a serving member of the Police Force, but the ranks confiscated the gun and the ammo.

McCollin was previously arraigned on a similar charge and is facing a trial before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

When given the opportunity to speak before his sentencing, McCollin explained to the Magistrate that he was liming with some friends, when police ranks came and searched him. He denied having any firearm in his possession.
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