Lawman: Accused reached for gun

The accused, said Constable Jabarry Mayers, later admitted he did not have a licence for it.

The constable was testifying in the illegal gun and ammunition trial of Watkins, which continued in the
No. 5A Supreme Court yesterday.

Watkins, of Chapman Lane, St Michael, has denied having a .10mm semi-automatic pistol, as well as 16 rounds of ammunition, on May 15, 2021.

Constable Mayers said he and Constable Subhan were in a marked police vehicle in a convoy of police vehicles on Green Hill Drive, Silver Hill, Christ Church, when he saw the accused riding a motorcycle, going in the opposite direction.

The lawman recalled that the police vehicle behind him had stopped next to another vehicle and the accused man’s path became blocked.

“He then attempted to ride the sidewalk in an attempt to escape,” Constable Mayers told the court.

“We stopped, got out the vehicle and went in the direction of the accused, who was trying to get his motorcycle to start,” he said.

The lawman said Constable Subhan held on to the accused’s right hand and he began to struggle violently. He went to his colleague’s assistance, the witness said.

“I observed the accused reaching into his waist and I saw a black firearm. 

“Constable Subhan held onto the accused’s firearm and we were then able to get the firearm away,”
Mayers said.

The officer continued that they asked the accused if he had a licence for the gun and he replied: “No”. 

The magazine was removed and it contained 16 rounds of ammunition – five of .10mm calibre and 11 of .40.

The accused denied having a permit for the ammunition.

The lawman further testified that the accused was transported to Oistins Police Station where he requested an attorney as well as a phone call. Both requests were granted, he said.

The accused later agreed to a sound and video interview, Mayers added.