Parliament staffer, man on firearm, ammo charge

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:00 by GxMedia

A Parliament Office staff member and a man were Monday arraigned on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and refused bail.

Andrew Kirton and Candayce Girard, who is an Assistant Clerk of Committees, are accused of having one .23 pistol with 10 live matching rounds in their possession without being the holders of a firearm licence.

Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry refused bail and remanded them to prison until January 29 when they would appear at the Providence Magistrates’ Court.

Defence Lawyer, Latchmie Rahamat told the court that her clients knew nothing about the gun and bullets. She said Kirton and Girard do not live at the address provided by the police.

Rahamat said the police were at the time conducting raids at Tiger Bay, Agricola and Eccles. Kirton and Girard, the lawyer said, were arrested earlier and driven around and eventually taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) where they were informed that the firearm and ammunition were found in the house.

Despite her submissions, including that her clients have unblemished records, bail was refused.

The prosecution objected to bail, citing the nature and prevalence of the offence.