16-year-old boy who was allegedly caught with an AK 47 rifle in Portmore was remanded to maximum security when he appeared in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

According to Detective Corporal Eucklin Mendez, the police went on operation at Cook and Dog Lane in Newlands on December 14, about 4 p.m., when the teenager was observed carrying a rifle through a swampy area. He said the police shouted out to him and the child dropped the weapon and began to run. He was chased and the rifle retrieved from where he dropped it.

Sawed off AK

It was discovered to be an AK 47, a part of which was sawed off. It contained 19 rounds. Det. Corp. Mendez said the youth told the police he got the weapon to 'lock' (hide).

Having heard the allegations he was subsequently remanded by RM Lorna Errar-Gayle. He will return to court January 2.

Meanwhile, a student of Edna Manley School of Performing Arts, Asra Willy was remanded when he appeared on charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

The police told the court that on December 15, about 1:15 in the morning, Willy was spotted along Winding Trails in Independence City with four other men. They were accosted and during a search, a Taurus Revolver, was taken from him along with two live rounds.

His lawyer Everton Byrd in applying for bail told the court that his client only knew of the gun the following morning after he was taken into custody, and that the officer came and showed him the weapon.

Having heard the allegations, however, RM Lorna Errar-Gayle remanded him until Friday December 28, to appear in the Gun Court.



Source: The Star