A man from Barataria, who was allegedly held with an illegal firearm after police responded to a report of domestic abuse, has been denied bail.
Akile Gilkes, of Ward Lane, Barataria, was remanded into custody after appearing before Magistrate Aden Stroude in the Port-of-Spain Magistrate's Court for firearm and ammunition possession.
Although Gilkes has a clean criminal record, police prosecutor Sgt Azard Ali objected to bail as he claimed that Gilkes may be a threat to his wife, who is now a witness in the firearm possession case against him.
"For too long many females have been taken advantage of and destroyed by domestic violence from their spouse," Ali said.
In response, Gilkes' lawyer Criston J Williams challenged Ali's claim as he pointed out that it was Gilkes' wife, with whom he has a two-year-old, who retained him for the case. Williams also pointed out that Gilkes was not charged for assaulting his wife during the dispute.
Stroude eventually upheld Ali's objection as he said: "The court is concerned that should bail be granted, whatever transpired to make the police come at the scene, may continue".
Gilkes was arrested on Sunday afternoon after police responded to the domestic abuse report and found the gun and six rounds of ammunition allegedly hidden in the house. Gilkes was not called upon to plead to the charge, which was laid indictably.
Gilkes is expected to reappear in court, this morning, for the firearm and ammunition to be tendered and sent for ballistic testing.
The process could not be performed by Stroude yesterday, as the items were not brought to court because police officers, who worked over the Carnival weekend, were officially excused from attending.