CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan on July 5, 2019 imposed a four-year suspended sentence, along with a fine of $100, 000, on a 64-year-old boat captain for gun and ammunition possession.

Joseph Allen of Bent Street, Werk-en-Rust appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to the two charges.
Particulars of the two charges state that on July 2, 2019, at Mabaruma Police Station, North West District, Allen had a 9MM pistol along with 11 matching rounds in his possession when he was not a licensed firearm holder.

According to the prosecution, on July 2, 2019, Allen was arrested by police and taken to the Mabaruma Police Station on a charge of simple larceny.

As per protocol, a search was conducted on Allen and a blue bag he had in his possession.
Nothing was found on Allen, but when the bag was searched the firearm and ammunition was found inside.

In court, Allen begged the magistrate to be lenient and to consider that he is an elderly man who suffers from diabetes.

According to Allen, he worked on a tanker and the gun belonged to his boss and was onboard.
However, Allen explained that he was not being paid and was leaving the job when his boss asked him to take the gun to the city to be legalised.
The elderly man stressed that he did not know that it was a crime to transport someone else’s firearm.

The Chief Magistrate, after considering Allen explanation to the court, imposed a two-year suspended sentence on each charge along with a fine of $100,000. The sentencing will run concurrently and Allen was warned to keep out of trouble since anytime he is arrested and charged by the police he will have to serve his sentence.