Teen held at school with cutlass

A teenager, who police say entered the New Campbellville Secondary School with a cutlass, was yesterday charged with possession of an offensive weapon.

It is alleged that on November 7, in Campbellville, Osaffa Peters, 17, of 34 Prince William Street, Albouystown, had in his possession an offensive weapon without lawful authority.

Peters pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on $20,000 bail by Magistrate Judy Latchman, at the Georgetown Magistrate’ Court.

Prosecutor Vishnu Hunte told the court that police officers, who were on duty in the Campbellville area, spotted Peters entering the school with what appeared to be a cutlass.

Ranks then approached Peters to inquire about the cutlass, Hunte said, adding that the teen then ran and was later apprehended by the officers and taken into custody.

Peter, when allowed to address the court, said that he had previously borrowed a bicycle from a friend who sells coconuts. His friend, he explained, would normally use the cutlass to unpeel the coconut and it was left at the side of the bike when he borrowed it.

Peters further said that after the officers appeared to him with guns, he became frightened and ran away.

The prosecution had no objection to bail, which was granted, and the case was adjourned until November 14, when it will be called at Court 10.