Wednesday, April 22 2009

Two appeared before a Port-of-Spain magistrate yesterday in separate incidents to face charges for the possession of firearms and ammunition.

Peter Ferguson, 30, of Scorpion Alley, Carenage, was the first to be brought before senior magistrate Lucina Cardenas-Ragoonanan in the 4A Court.

He remained silent with his head bowed low as the charges were read to him. Ferguson was represented by defence attorney Patrick Godson-Philips.

It is alleged last April 18, not far from his home on Scorpion Alley, he was discovered by police officers with a shotgun and an undisclosed amount of ammunition.

The charges were laid indictably, but at the time no recommendations for trial were made by the police prosecution. Despite this, Godson-Philips was able to secure bail for his client by strongly arguing that Ferguson had no prior criminal record, and he had a deeply rooted family connection as was evident by over eight relatives which were present.

After careful consideration, Cardenas-Ragoonanan granted the accused bail with a surety at $75,000 to cover both charges. Ferguson has also been ordered to report to the Central Police Station twice a week.

The matter was then transferred to the 4B court before magistrate Avason Quinlan and is expected to resume on May 1.

Darren Richardson next appeared before the senior magistrate facing similar charges. He was not represented by any defence counsel.

It is alleged that April 17 last, at Moya Trace, Carenage, he was found by police officers with a hand held firearm, and an undisclosed amount of ammunition.

No background tracing was provided for the accused.

However, he admitted he was before the court previously in 2005 for marijuana and robbery charges. He claimed both cases were dismissed.

However without tracing, Cardenas-Ragoonanan said she was unwilling to release the accused without a surety that he will return to court. She was then informed by the prosecution that the tracing would be made available by the next session.

The senior magistrate then transferred the matter to the 4B court as well, and it is expected to resume today.