By Alexander Bruzual Tuesday, October 6 2009

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ACCUSED: Ossie Simmons as he arrived at the Tunapuna Magistrates' Court yesterday to face 11 charges including the attempted murder of PC Dave James o...

A 24-year-old Maloney man appeared in Tunapuna Magistrates’ Court yesterday to answer 11 charges, including last week’s attempted murder of Police Constable Dave “Smiley” James.

Ossie Simmons of Maloney Gardens, Maloney, was brought to court by two officers, Cpl Gangasingh and Sgt Sinanan of the St Joseph Police Station.

About 45 minutes later, he was before Magistrate Ramraj Harripersad, who read out the 11 charges, which also included possession of a firearm; possession of six rounds of ammunition; and five counts of common assault against customers of Complete Care Pharmacy at Curepe Junction.

An application for bail was made on behalf of Simmons by his attorney, Netram Kowlessar.

Kowlessar argued it was the accused constitutional right for bail. Although he admitted his client had one pending matter, the possession of a firearm, he also indicated Simmons would lose his job as a labourer at the Ministry of Works and Transport if he was not granted bail.

The State, represented by police prosecutor Sgt Williams objected to the application on two grounds. He provided the court with the accused personal background tracing which showed Simmons had another outstanding matter of similar nature.

Williams asked the court to bear this fact in mind, while considering the victim of last week’s shooting was still in the hospital through a crime allegedly committed by Simmons while he was out on bail.

After some deliberation Harripersad said in light of the number of charges before the court, he would not be granting Simmons bail. He remanded the accused in custody, and reminded him of his right to apply to a judge in chambers for bail.

The matter is scheduled to resume on October 15.