Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court refused bail to a porkknocker who was charged with assault and unlawful possession of an unlicensed shotgun with matching cartridges.
It was alleged that on March 10, 2012, in the Upper Demerara River, Alvin Ahmad unlawfully assaulted Lest Singh and made use of threatening behaviour towards Elton Singh. The court also heard that on March 28, 2012, Ahmad had in his possession a 12-gauge shotgun and seven shotgun cartridges. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Neither of the complainants was present.
Attorney George Thomas, in his bid for bail for Ahmad, stated that his client was only a teen and earned his living as a porkknocker, while maintaining two children. He argued also that his client does not possess a passport and as a result was not a flight risk. The charge was also questioned by Thomas, who said that based on his information, his client does not possess the keys to the house where the firearm and cartridges were recovered. Police Corporal Jairam Luckhai prosecuting said that on the day in question, being March 10, Lest Singh and Ahmad had a misunderstanding over a dog and the accused became annoyed and dealt Singh several cuffs about his body.
On March 28, Luckhai added, the police, acting on the said report of assault, contacted Ahmad, who showed them the firearm and ammunition. He was cautioned and arrested.
Luckhai objected to bail on the grounds that there needed to be a special reason, which was not offered by Thomas. Bail was subsequently refused and Ahmad ordered to appear in the Christianburg Magistrate’s Court on April 3.
