Gold miner remanded for shooting girlfriend, 14, in thumb

A 21-year-old gold miner was on Friday remanded to prison on gun possession charges and for shooting his 14-year-old girlfriend in her thumb.

Leion Garraway of Norton Street, Georgetown, was hauled before City Magistrate Leron Daly charged with discharging a loaded firearm with intent to maim, disable, or cause grievous bodily harm; he was also charged with the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges; The Police prosecutor strongly objected to baul citing Garraway’s involvement in similar crimes in the past.

The prosecutor recounted that the victim attended a party on November 25 at her friend’s Norton Street residence where Garraway also resides.

It is alleged that during the event, Garraway brandished a .32 pistol, directing it at the teenager and firing multiple shots, resulting in an injury to her left thumb.

After receiving medical attention at the Kitty Health Centre, the injured teen was released. Subsequently, the incident was reported to the Police, leading to Garraway’s arrest.

A search of his residence by the Police revealed the firearm and a live .32 ammunition in the backyard.

The magistrate upheld the prosecution’s objection and remanded Garraway to prison until January 19, 2024.

Police Headquarters had reported that the victim told investigators that Garraway was playing with the firearm at around 23:00 hrs when she heard a loud explosion and then felt a burning sensation in her left thumb, which started to bleed.

According to the Police, the child said Garraway then went to his backyard, where he hid the firearm among some concrete blocks.