Man tells magistrate he had gun for family’s protection

Kevon Harry, 32, of Roberston Street, pleaded guilty when he appeared before Magistrate Brambhanan Dubay in the San Fernando Magistrates Court.

The magistrate heard from prosecutor PC Cleyon Seedan that at about 7 a.m on Thursday, PC Dhanraj Matloo of the San Fernando CID led other police to Harry’s home. They searched for illegal arms and ammunition.

Seedan said Harry was at home but he denied having anything illegal in the house when the police questioned him. Police searched and found the gun and the ammunition in the living room. Police also found on the kitchen table, eight packets of marijuana which, when weighed, amounted to 298 grammes.

Harry was arrested and taken to the Marabella Police Station.

Attorney Chantal Paul in mitigating on Harry’s behalf, told Dubay her client’s apartment was recently broken into and, as a father of three children, he had the gun and the ammunition for the protection of his family. Paul told the court while Harry had a conviction for trafficking in marijuana, he had no criminal record for any violent crimes.

Dubay, in passing sentence, said it did not seem Harry was an immediate threat to society.

He fined him $12,000 for possession of the firearm. In default of payment he would serve three years in prison with hard labour. Harry was ordered to pay $8,000 for possession of the ammunition, if he fails to do so, he would serve three years in jail. And for the marijuana possession, he was ordered to pay $6,000, failing which he would serve 16 months in prison with hard labour. He was granted 60 days to pay.

The magistrate commended Matloo saying he is one of those police officers who is always equipped with all the documents that are needed to prosecute people he charges. Harry’s arrest, Dubay said, meant one less firearm on the streets. He said he hopes his commendation would reach the relevant authorities and Matloo be given $500 as a reward for exceptional police work.