Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday ordered that a 41-year-old man be remanded to prison when he appeared before her at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for allegedly using a gun to threaten a taxi-driver.

Mark Anthony Dilly of 1051 South Ruimveldt Park pleaded not guilty to a threatening behaviour charge which stated that on January 30 he used a handgun while threatening taxi-driver Lloyd Cato.

Prosecutor Stephen Telford stated that on the day in question Dilly and two other men joined Cato’s taxi at Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, and requested to be taken to Kitty.  He said, however, on their way there Dilly then requested to be taken to Cemetery Road.

The prosecutor stated that Cato then informed Dilly that he would have to pay extra for the drop to Cemetery Road. He said that Dilly became annoyed and started using abusive language to  Cato.

He went on to say that Cato stopped the car abruptly and was attempting to turn the car around to take the men back to the spot from where he had picked them up  when Dilly pulled a handgun from his waist and threatened to shoot him.

As a result Cato allowed the men to go and afterwards  reported the incident to the police station. Dilly was later arrested and charged.

However, Dilly’s lawyer Patrice Henry applied for reasonable bail for him on the grounds that he had a fixed place of abode and poses no risk of flight.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor Stephen Telford objected to the bail application on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence, the weapon that was used in the threat and the likelihood that if released Dilly might interfere with the witnesses in the matter.

The magistrate subsequently refused bail for Dilly and ordered that the matter be transferred to Court 10 for February 8.