Basilon Street resident Akido “Sunday” Williams was denied bail yesterday after appearing before a Port-of-Spain magistrate charged with counselling a gang leader.
Bail was denied because police provided an incomplete criminal record and the magistrate had concerns over two robbery cases from 1998 and 1999, which appeared to be pending. Williams, a father of 10 and an employee of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), was ordered to reappear in court today.
Williams, 39, who was being sought by police for questioning, turned himself in to police earlier this month.
Police laid the charge of counselling a gang leader in accordance with Section 9(b) of the Anti-Gang Act.
The charge was laid on Tuesday by officers of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), following advice received from Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions George Busby.
The accused was arrested on Wednesday 2nd October 2019, after he surrendered himself to SIU officers in the presence of his attorney-at-law.
Williams was at the time considered a person of interest by police and the public was asked to provide information on his whereabouts.
Section 9 of the Anti-Gang Act, No. 1 of 2018 states: A person who knowingly—(a) counsels; (b) gives instruction or guidance to; (c) finances in any manner; or (d) otherwise provides support to, a gang leader, gang member or gang in furtherance of its participation in, involvement in or commission of a gang-related activity commits an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for twenty-five years.
Last month three Beetham residents were also charged under the Anti-Gang Act.
Those accused are Ancil Shawn Villafana also known as “Chemist” and “Presi”; Kevon Isaiah Franklyn alias “Fat Joe”, both of Beetham Gardens, Port-of-Spain and Keedel Fabian Montrose also known as “Feedel”.
The charges were laid by acting Insp Ramdass of the Special Investigations Unit.
