A taxi driver was today remanded to prison after he was allegedly caught with an illegal firearm in his car.
Forty-four-year-old Leon Anthony Welcome of 794 Pattensen, Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts.
Welcome denied the charge which stated that on September 17, 2019, at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, he had in his possession one Taurus revolver when he was not the holder of a firearm license.
Welcome was represented by Attorney-at-law Steven Roberts who asked that his client be released on reasonable bail.
The lawyer, in his bail application, told the court that at the time of the search, his client had just collected his vehicle from a man named Alfred Gray.
However, facts presented by Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield stated that on the day in question, around 09:50 hrs ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), acting on information, went to Kc taxi service where the defendant works.
He added that the ranks made contact with the defendant and identified themselves as police officers.
They then requested to carry out a search on motor car HC 1647 which he operates and he made no objection.
Hence, the car was opened and the alleged firearm was found under the driver’s seat. He was then told of the allegation and replied, “ Alfred left the gun in my car the night before.”
Further investigations were carried out and he was charged for the offence.
Prosecutor Mansfield objected to bail on the grounds of the prevalence of the offence and the penalty the charge attracts.
He also highlighted the fact that the defendant had clear knowledge and constructive possession of the firearm.
The Chief Magistrate, after listening to the facts, remanded Welcome to prison.
The father of two was instructed to make his next court appearance on October 11.
