A 63-year-old miner who admitted to having a gun and matching ammunition in his possession while not being a holder of a firearm licence was yesterday sentenced to two years in prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
Michael Greene, of Duncan Street, Georgetown pleaded guilty to two charges which stated that on June 17, at Iroma Backdam, Cuyuni River, he had in his possession a 9mm pistol when he was not a licensed firearm holder at the time, and that he had 23 rounds of matching ammunition.
Meanwhile, the accused was also slapped with a third charge, which stated that he made use of threatening behaviour towards Vanessa Samuels, on the said day. This he also pleaded guilty to as well.
According to Police Prosecutor Arwin Moore, on June 17 around 19:30 hours the police, following a report of threatening behavior made by Samuels, went to a campsite at Iroma, where they saw the defendant sitting in a hammock. The officers who approached Greene observed him putting a silver and black object in a carton, which was next to him. Moore said that the officers cornered Greene, carried out a search and the gun along with the 23 matching rounds of ammunition were found.
The prosecutor also told the court that the defendant was abusive to Samuels, who works as a cook at the camp. Moore said that on the day in question, Greene threatened the woman and discharged several shots in the area, which frightened the virtual complainant and prompted her to make a report to the police.
Greene, who was unrepresented by a lawyer, told the court before sentencing that he kept the gun in order to protect his campsite. He also explained that he and Samuels were arguing over something, he said she had “done wrong”.
Chief Magistrate McLennan, subsequently sentenced Greene to two years in prison along with a $50,000 fine on each of the gun and ammunition charges. She explained to him that his sentences will run concurrently. Moreover, she also fined him $30,000 or by default 6 weeks imprisonment on the threatening behaviour charge.
