Fisherman fined for gun, ammo

Stephen Ramlochan, 26, of Penal yesterday stood in the Sixth court before Magistrate Brambhanan jointly charged with Ravi Samraj, a disc jockey, with possession of a gun and ammunition.

Ramlochan pleaded guilty while Samraj pleaded not guilty.

Court prosecutor Sgt Gordon Maharaj said that Sgt Victor and other Penal police officers intercepted a car driven by Ramlochan along the M2 Ring Road in Debe on Wednesday morning.

During a search of the car, police found a revolver loaded with six rounds of ammunition.

In pleading for leniency, Ramlochan’s attorney Dexter Bailey told the court his client was the victim of three separate robberies, was chopped on the head and had to dive into the sea to escape. Feeling powerless, the attorney added, Ramlochan armed himself.

He noted that his client is a father of one who co-operated with investigators upon arrest.

Addressing Ramlochan directly, Magistrate Dubay noted it was unfortunate what had happened to him, but the law is the law.

Dubay chided Ramlochan for a foolish act.

For having an illegal firearm, Ramlochan was fined $6,000 while he was fined $4,000 for the ammunition.

The fines are to be paid within 60 days or in default, serve two years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

Samraj was granted $20,000 bail with a surety and the case was adjourned to June 14.