By Clestine Juan

A MINER was remanded to prison after he was allegedly found with an illegal revolver last Monday at his campsite.Roberto Higgins, of Citrus Grove, Port Kaituma, appeared yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Higgins, 25, is accused of having a .38 revolver in his possession on May 31, at Hammer Top, North West District. It is further alleged that on the same day at the said location, he had five rounds of .38 special ammunition, along with a normal .38 round.

The father of two, pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read.

Attorney Euclin Gomes petitioned for his client to be released on bail. According to Gomes, special circumstances arose surrounding his client’s arrest.

He told the court that on the date in question police searched Higgins’s and found no illegal items. The lawyer explained that a while later lawmen searched the campsite and found the gun. His client was the only person around at the time.

Gomes further informed the court that his client was not a flight risk and had an unblemished criminal record.

However, Police Prosecutor Inspector, Neville Jeffers-Jones was opposed to the defendant being granted pre-trial liberty. He contended that no special reasons were put forward by the defence for bail to be considered by the court.

Jones related that on the day in question, police acting on information, went to the defendant’s camp where they conducted a search on the man and found the gun in his pocket.

Jones stated that Higgins orally confessed to ownership of the firearm and ammunition.

This matter was transferred to the Matthew’s Ridge Magistrate’s Court for August 3.