By LAUREL V WILLIAMS Friday, September 21 2012

BEETHAM resident Damien Simpson, was yesterday granted $250,000 bail by a Port-of-Spain magistrate before whom he appeared charged for illegal possession a firearm and ammunition.

Simpson re-appeared yesterday before Magistrate Melvin Daniel in the Four B Court.

It is alleged that on August 9, near the corner of the Eastern Main Road and Pashley Street in Laventille, he had in his possession of a firearm and 12 rounds of ammunition. Simpson, not being a holder of such licences or a person exempted under the Firearms Act, was arrested by Cpl Campbell of the Besson Street Police Station and later charged.

Simpson’s attorney Richard Clarke Wills, yesterday informed Daniel that his client lives at Phase Four in Beetham Gardens and is 27 years old. The attorney further said Simpson does not have any prior conviction.

On a previous hearing before another magistrate, Simpson was refused bail on the basis that he had committed the alleged offences while out on bail for similar matters. But yesterday Daniel, after perusing documents, enquired if the accused was also living at Main Road in Kelly Village, but the attorney quickly responded in the negative.

Daniel granted Simpson $250,000 in bail with the condition that Simpson report to the Besson Street Police Station on Mondays and Saturdays between the hours of 6 am and 6 pm. The matter was adjourned to October 18.