Retrial ordered for men charged with illegal hunting

Two men, who were convicted of hunting out of season and had their shotguns confiscated by the court, will have an opportunity to plead their case once more before a magistrate. Neville Maingot and Boysie Fletcher won their appeal, but will have to face retrial. This was the order of the Court of Appeal comprising Justice Wendell Kangaloo and Justice Alan Mendonca, in San Fernando. The men were represented by attorney Nyree Alfonso while the State was represented by special prosecutor Devan Rampersad. Maingot of Claxton Bay and Fletcher of Preysal were convicted of hunting during the closed season, of possession of three agoutis during the closed season, and of possession of guns for the killing of animals. They were fined a total of $1,100 each and their 12-gauge shotguns were confiscated.

At their trial, the magistrate had ordered them to make their defence in the absence of their attorney, and then gave them 23 minutes to retain and instruct alternative counsel. Their lordships found the decision of the magistrate resulted in substantial prejudice to the men. Maingot and Fletcher were arrested on September 16, 2001 by a party of game wardens which included Samsundar Ramdeen and Glenroy Thompson. Their vehicle was stopped along Chickland Road. Three agoutis were found in a bag. The two men claimed that the bag belonged to two men who had asked for a “drop” to the nearby village.