A farmer was yesterday remanded to prison after police allegedly found a shotgun along with a live matching round at his home.
Shawn Courtright, 40, of Karasabai, in Region Nine, appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The court heard that on May 25th, at Mango Landing, South Pakaraimas, Courtright was in possession of a single-barrel shotgun and a live matching round, without being the holder of a valid firearm licence.
However, attorney Jerome Khan, who represented the accused, said that the firearm belonged to a pastor, who is a licensed firearm holder.
The pastor and the defendant had arranged to go hunting to catch jaguars, which would normally attack his client’s cattle, Khan said. However, the pastor did not keep his promise and his gun was left at Courtright’s home, he added.
Courtright, was only in possession of an arrow and bow, the attorney said, while noting that it was not intended for an offensive purpose. “These people are fighting against nature and wild animals, it is a question of survival,” he submitted.
However, the presiding magistrate read a statement to Khan in which it was indicated that Courtright borrowed the weapon.
Bail was subsequently refused and Courtright was ordered to return to court on June 1st.
