Judge questions no bail for firearm holder

Chief Parish Judge Chester Crooks on Wednesday expressed concern why a licensed firearm holder, who was arrested and charged on March 6 for being in possession of extra rounds of ammunition, was not offered bail at that the station.

“Is there any particular reason why he is in custody on these offences? Because we don’t normally have persons in custody for these type [of offences] no matter where they come from, so in other words, did he try to flee from the police? Was there some massive struggle while on the road or at the station? What is the unique circumstance. I am just asking,” the judge pressed.

His comment comes on the heels of a bail application in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court by Tom Taveres-Finson Q.C, on behalf of his client Andrew Narine.

Narine is charged for indecent language, failure to wear a mask, which is a breach under the Disaster Risk Management Act and breaching the terms and conditions of the firearm user license.

The court heard that police attached to the St Andrew South Division were on patrol on March 6, when they noticed Narine standing in a public place, without wearing a mask. When they approached the accused to inform him of the breach, an argument ensued and Narine allegedly uttered indecent language.

One of the policemen on duty, indicated that he noticed a bulge in Narine’s waistband and enquired about it, at which point the accused man informed the police he was a licensed firearm holder.

From this indication, Narine was told to accompany the police to the Olympic Garden Police Station where the necessary checks were made about his status. While at the station, Narine shared that he was in possession of fifty-two rounds of 9mm cartridges.

Police then informed him that he had two additional rounds of ammunition, beaching the terms and conditions of the use of the firearm holder’s license.

Prosecutors informed the judge that investigators were minded to grant Narine station bail on Sunday but did not say why it was not done.

“Was it their Sabbath? I don’t understand. Is it that egos were hurt? It is a legitimate question,” Crooks asked. However, his questions went unanswered.

The chief parish judge then offered the accused bail, in the sum of $80,000 with a surety. Narine is to return to court on May 4.

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