Guns guns everywhere under the afc/apnu regime.

Linden shopkeeper shoots at woman

– court hears

Attorney-at-law Peter Hugh secured bail in the sum of $230,000 for his client, Randolph Williams, who denied firing a gun at a woman, when he made an appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts yesterday.
Williams, 26, of 214 Half Mile Linden, is accused of discharging a loaded firearm at Natasha Watson, with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or cause her grievous bodily harm.
It was also alleged that the father of two unlawfully and maliciously assaulted Diana Edwards, so as to cause her actual bodily harm.
Both of the incidents allegedly occurred on October 25, at Omai Backdam, Essequibo River.
Williams pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read to him by Magistrate Ann McLennan and was ordered to return to court on January 19, 2016, at the Mahdia Magistrates Court.
He was granted bail in the sum of $200,000 for discharging the loaded firearm with intent and $30,000 on the assault charge.
Attorney Hugh, during his bail application, asked for his client to be granted bail in a reasonable sum, because he has no pending or previous matters. The lawyer told the court that his client operates a shop in the interior. He pointed out that one of the complainants in the matter owes his client money and has refused to pay him.
Hugh said that on the day in question, Willams had a confrontation with the woman, during which an argument ensued. He added that the woman left and returned with a group of people and another confrontation ensued.
The lawyer claimed that his client was shot to the left leg during the altercation.
Further, Hugh pleaded with the Magistrate to release his client on bail due to the fact that there are no facilities in the Camp Street prison to accommodate him. In explaining this, the attorney told the court that Williams was recently discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after receiving treatment for the gunshot wound.
He also urged the court to consider bail for the defendant after noting that his client would not be given a trial within a reasonable time.
In this regard, Hugh argued that the matter will have to be transferred to the Mahdia Magistrates Court which will have its next sitting in January 2016.
But Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones strongly objected to the defendant being granted pre-trial liberty citing the gravity of the charge.
Jones argued that the victim’s safety would be jeopardized should the defendant be granted bail. He also disclosed that several spent shells were recovered from the crime scene.
Additionally, Jones stated that Williams assaulted Diane Edwards which resulted in her sustaining injuries.
Jones said that public spirited persons in the area saw the defendant “beating” the woman and intervened. In response, the prosecutor   added that the defendant fired several shots, hitting Watson.
According to the prosecutor, Williams is alleging that he was shot by a man called “Gaza”. The court heard that “Gaza” pursued Williams after he had shot the woman.