Man found with unlicensed gun at Stabroek Market – court hears

A labourer was yesterday remanded to prison, after denying ownership of a gun allegedly found in his possession, last Saturday at the Stabroek Market.

Hubert Clarke, 21, denied the charge that, on May 20, at Stabroek Market, he had a .38 revolver in his possession without being a licensed firearm holder.

According to the facts stated by the prosecution, the firearm was found in a bag which was in the defendant’s possession. It was also noted that the file in relation to the matter is incomplete.

Attorney Dexter Todd, who represented Clarke told the court that around 4:00 pm on the day of his client’s arrest, he had stopped at the Stabroek Market to purchase items to take home. While at the market, the defendant met two men he knew, and was asked by one of the men to hold a bag for him as he went to the back of the market. The attorney stated that while waiting for the individual to return he was approached by the police who conducted a search on him and enquired about one of the bags he had, which he told them did not belong to him.

Todd added that his client had no knowledge of what was in the bag which he was holding, and told the police the ‘call name’ of its owner. The attorney requested that his client be released on reasonable bail and asked that the police allow him to give a statement in relation to the matter, since they had previously refused to grant the request.

Despite the attorney’s request, Magistrate Azore remanded the defendant and adjourned the matter to June 14.