A former Police Constable was yesterday (Wednesday) placed on $200,000 bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on a felony charge.
Macurty Simpson, 23, of Number 28 Village, West Coast Berbice, pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge which stated that on September 11, 2015, at Georgetown, he stole one Browning semi-automatic pistol, property of George Edwards.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the Court that on the day in question, the Virtual Complainant, a licensed firearm holder, went to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) to have his firearm licence renewed when Simpson, while still being a serving member of the Guyana Police Force, was assigned to assist him.
However, at the time, Edwards was unable to produce any form of identification and, as such, asked the accused to lodge the firearm at the TSU until he returned from the interior.
Simpson failed to lodge the weapon and instead kept it in his possession.
After he was questioned by Police, the defendant admitted to having the gun at his home.
An investigation was carried out, and legal advice was sought before Simpson was charged.
The defendant told the Court that it was his negligence that he failed to lodge the weapon, but it was his intention to return the weapon to Edwards.
However, the weapon is still to be recovered.
Defence Attorney Darren Wade requested reasonable bail, telling the court that his client was anxious to prove his innocence.
The father of one will return to court on June 2, 2016 for statements.
