| Blue Berry Hill, Wismar resident Earl Hazon Nieuenkirk was yesterday remanded to prison on gun and ammunition charges by Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.The allegation is that on September 14, at Madewini on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, Nieuenkirk had in his possession one .9mm pistol and 15 rounds of .9mm ammunition, without being the holder of a firearm licence.A further charge alleges that the accused on the same day at Blue Berry Hill Wismar, Linden had 22 rounds of .9mm ammunition and two magazines, all without a licence.Nieuenkirk, who was unrepresented,Nike Air Vapor Max Flyknit Men, was not required to plead since the charges were indictable.Police Prosecutor Stephen Telford explained that on the day in question, the police were conducting a road block exercise at Kairuni on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. It was further stated that the officers noticed the accused, who was a passenger in a minibus, trying to hide a black plastic bag under the bus seat.Telford noted that the plastic bag was searched by the police and it was discovered that it contained one .9mm pistol with 15 matching rounds. The defendant was questioned and it was determined that he did not have a licence for the firearm and ammunition. He was told of the offence, arrested and charged.Telford highlighted that while the accused was in custody he gave the police an address in Linden which the officers decided to search in the presence of the accused, the 22 rounds of .9mm ammunition and two magazines were found.Telford made an application for bail to be refused and requested that the matters be transferred to Linden for trial.In his defence, Nieuenkirk explained to the court that he was not present when his property was searched as was reported by the police. According to the man, he was in a police vehicle when the search was conducted inside of his house.He said that he is a carpenter by profession and knew nothing about the charges.The magistrate remanded the accused who is expected to make his next court appearance at the Providence Magistrates’ Court on October 1 for the first two charges while he will attend the Christianburg Magistrates’ Court on September 21 for the other charges. |
