Butcher alarmed by the large number of firearm charges

Prosecutor Station Sergeant Nigel Butcher has expressed his dismay at the spate of firearm offences plaguing St Vincent and the Grenadines. “It is like firearms offences are a daily occurrence in this country,” Butcher said, speaking on Monday at the Serious Offences Court.{{more}}

He was at the time prosecuting a firearm charge against Kerwin Sampson, a 22-year-old labourer of Petit Bordel who was remanded to her Majesty’s Prison until August 8 when his case is scheduled to be heard. Sampson was charged with unlawfully discharging a firearm at Mark Douglas on July 17 at Petit Bordel.

The court heard that on the night in question, Douglas went to pick up his girlfriend in his vehicle. On his way back, Sampson is alleged to have blocked the road with an old refrigerator preventing Douglas from passing.

Douglas reversed his vehicle and while doing so, shots were fired at him. The defendant then allegedly ran through a shortcut and continued to spray the car with bullets. No one was hurt.

Butcher strongly objected to Sampson’s bail on the grounds that several shots were fired at Douglas and that the firearm used had not been recovered. Butcher said that he feared if the defendant was given bail, it would hinder the prosecution’s chances of recovering the firearm. He also said that the defendant’s actions could have resulted in a life being lost.

Defence Lawyer for Sampson, Nicole Sylvester said that her client should be given bail since he was of no trouble to the police. Sylvester said that he turned himself in to the police after he got the message that they wanted to see him.