‘Dinky’ awaits his fate

Declared candidate for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the next general elections, Cameron “Dinky” Balcombe, has to wait until August 5, 2009, to learn the outcome of his charge of possession of ammunition without a licence.{{more}}

Balcombe and his father Alison Balcombe, both of Georgetown, were jointly charged with having in their possession 13 rounds of .22 ammunition and 2 rounds of 12-gauge (shot gun) ammunition without a licence on Thursday, June 18, 2009.

The charges against Cameron Balcombe for the shotgun ammunition were dismissed when both men appeared at the Serious Offences Court the following day, Friday, June 19, 2009. Alison, however, pleaded guilty to possession of the shotgun ammunition and was fined $600. Alison Balcombe is a Businessman.

The hearing into the charge of possession of the .22 ammunition commenced at the Serious Offences Court on Thursday, July 23, 2009. The prosecution produced four witnesses, all police officers involved in the arrest of the men, while the defence produced two witnesses, including Alison Balcombe.

Alison Balcombe’s charge was dismissed after a no case submission presented by Attorney Dr. Linton Lewis was upheld by Chief Magistrate Sonya Young. Alison was later produced by the defence as a witness in his son’s case. Dr. Lewis, in his submission, maintained that based on the evidence produced by the officers, a lawful arrest was not made, while Prosecutor Inspector Nigel Butcher, in his submission, maintained the arrest was indeed lawful.

The defence intends to call one more witness to testify on August 5, 2009, when the case is set to conclude. Cameron Balcombe is the candidate proposed to contest upcoming general elections in the North Central Windward Constituency for the opposition NDP. (OS)