Sophia man admits ownership of high-powered weapon 

A 27-year-old father of one was on Monday remanded to prison to await sentencing after pleading guilty to the possession of an illegal firearm.

Akeem Bristol of North Sophia Squatting Area, Greater Georgetown appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weever at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He pleaded guilty to the charge which alleged that on December 7, 2023, at North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, he had an Uzi semi-automatic machine gun in his possession when he is not the holder of a firearm licence.

The court heard that on the day in question, ranks from the Turkeyen Police Station were on patrol duty in the North Sophia area at around 00:40 hrs when they observed a man riding a bicycle, with a cart attached, through a cross street.

Upon seeing the ranks, the man hopped off the bicycle and attempted to run, but due to the quick response by the ranks, they were able to apprehend him.

The ranks searched Bristol but nothing illegal was found.

They then searched the ‘cart’ and found a black plastic bag containing one Uzi semi-automatic machine gun with an empty magazine, one Guyana identification card and a Citizens Bank card, both in favour of Bristol.

Bristol was asked if he was the holder of a firearm licence, and he said ‘no’. He was told of the offence committed and cautioned, after which he reportedly said: “Sir, I find it in a trench on Sophia Road.”

Bristol told the court that when he tried to hand in the firearm at the police station, the ranks turned him away and refused to accept his report.

Bristol recounted that while returning home from the police station, he told ranks that, “I got something illegal to turn in.”

To his surprise, Bristol said that he was instead arrested for the gun.

The police prosecutor contested Bristol’s version, stating that in a video interview, Bristol mentioned finding the pistol four weeks prior and expressed an intent to sell it.

The Magistrate requested to watch the Police-claimed videotaped confession of Bristol and deferred sentencing until December 18, 2023.