Man with .38 gun escapes jail term

A 20-year-old Beetham Estate man yesterday escaped a ten-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm. Fabien Mauge appeared before Magistrate Krishendeo Narinesingh in the Port-of-Spain Four B Court after being remanded in custody for four weeks. The court heard that on June 18, officers attached to the Inter-Agency Task Force were patrolling the Beetham area when, on approaching 24 Street, the the accused was seen acting suspiciously. PC Arthur approached the accused and, after identifying himself as a police officer, searched Mauge. A .38 semi-automatic pistol was found on the accused. He was taken to the Besson Street Police Station and charged for the offence. As Mauge stood before Magistrate Narinesingh yesterday, his attorney, Gordon Lamming, pleaded for leniency. Lamming brought a recommendation from a community group stating that Mauge was a responsible young man with a bright future.

Lamming explained to the magistrate that what in fact happened was that his client found the weapon while he was cutting grass in the area. Lamming said it was just unfortunate that his client kept the weapon, which was not loaded, and did not think of taking it to the police. The magistrate said at 20 years old, it was expected that one would act more responsibly. He said he acknowledged that the accused was only 20 years old and had much going for him, seeing that he was involved with the children in his community, and was also an artist. “I am giving you a chance.

With a charge like this, after certain bills have been passed in Parliament, you could have faced as much as ten years in prison, but I am not going to do that. I am fining you $2,500,” the magistrate said. “Go and spread the message to the other young people on the outside, because this could have been different. How was the four weeks in prison?” asked the magistrate. “Terrible, sir,” responded the accused. “Life is sweet. Don’t waste it,” said the magistrate. The magistrate also commended the arresting officer, PC Arthur of the Inter-Agency Task Force telling him his good work in crime fighting will give others like Mauge a wake up call and keep them on the right track.