A 20-year-old Agricola man who is currently serving a sentence for escaping police custody was today slapped with four new charges stemming from incidences in 2017, including shooting at police officers and possessing an illegal firearm and ammunition.
Melvor Jeffrey appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where he was slapped with four offences which are said to have occurred two years ago.
The first charge stated that, on January 11, 2017 at Brutus Steet, Agricola, East Bank Demerara, he discharged a firearm at Police Constable Romell Cato, who was acting in the execution of his duty, with the intent to maim, disfigure, or cause grievous bodily, in an attempt to prevent lawful apprehension.
It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, Jeffrey discharged a firearm at Police Detective David Bobb, who was acting in the execution of his duty, with the intent to maim, disfigure, or cause grievous bodily, in an attempt to prevent lawful apprehension.
The third charge stated that on July 11, 2017 at Brutus Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara, Jeffrey had in his possession one 12 gauge shot gun without lawful authority.
The last charge stated that on the same day and at the same location he had in his possession five live rounds of 12 gauge cartridges without lawful authority.
An unrepresented Jeffrey denied all the charges after they were read to him.
Facts presented by Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh stated that, on the day in question, police acting on information about a robbery murder went to Brutus Street, Agricola, where they had a confrontation with Jeffrey and he discharged several rounds in their direction and attempted to make good his escape.
However,one of the ranks fired a shot which hit Jeffrey in his lower back. He was then arrested and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
The Prosecutor objected to bail being granted to Jeffrey on the grounds of the serious nature of the offence and the fact that he is currently serving a sentence for escaping police custody.
The Magistrate, after listening to the facts, remanded the defendant to prison.
He was instructed to make his next court appearance on May 31, 2019.
In July of 2017, Jeffrey escaped from GPHC and was manned in a house in Brutus Street, Agricola. Police found him hiding in an empty barrel after escaping from the institution wearing a red dress, a wig, and a bra which someone had taken for him as a disguise.
He was later charged and sentenced for the offence which he is currently serving.
