Kidney patient fined for illegal ammunition

A man awaiting surgery for a kidney-related illness was yesterday fined $120,000 or six months' imprisonment at hard labour on ammunition charges.

Daniel Chung pleaded guilty to unauthorised possession of ammunition in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

It was shared that on September 28, police searched a premises where Chung lived and found three .38mm rounds of ammunition. On caution, Chung allegedly said, "You know a one a me friend dem lef it a me house. Dem set me up."

Chung, who stood in the dock, decked in a white shirt and jeans shorts, could be seen with a nephrostomy bag dangling at his side. The court was told that Chung, who was diagnosed with kidney issues after being stabbed, spent almost three weeks in custody awaiting the matter to be ventilated in court.

However, Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque was troubled when an attorney who is involved in the matter informed the court that the matter was previously heard before the High Court division of the Gun Court and was transferred to the Parish Court.

"I asked why [the matter was transferred] but no explanation was given by the court," the attorney submitted.

"I can only think of one explanation and that it is because our case clearance rate is currently at 113 per cent. That's the only reason I think," the senior judge said.

Chung was and was given three weeks time to pay the fine, in his own surety. His co-defendants, Carl Chung, Dacian Meade and Coleen Benjamin, were discharged by the prosecution.