Suspended jail sentence for Venezuelan national caught with spent shells

Ivor Marquez, a 31-year-old Venezuelan national was given a two year suspended prison sentence and fined $50,000 for the illegal possession of two spent shells, which he claimed he was using to make jewellery.

The suspended sentence means that he will not serve time in prison but cannot commit any offence within the two years and if he does, he will be forced to serve the two years behind bars.

Marquez appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in Georgetown and with the aid of an interpreter, he pleaded guilty to the charge which alleged that on July 6, 2016, at Black Water Landing, North West District, he had two 9MM spent shells in his possession.

Through the interpreter, Marquez said he is a telephone technician and came to Guyana for a better life.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that on the day in question, ranks from the Mabaruma Police Station acted on information received and went to the area.

The Police conducted and search and found the spent shells in a haversack Marquez had in his possession.

When questioned about the reason for having the items in his possession, Marquez through the interpreter said: “I make jewellery with those.”

Marquez was warned that if he commits any crime within the two years, he will have to serve his sentence.