Although he has a license for his Smith and Wesson 9 millimeter pistol, 33 year old Darrel Henry, a stevedore, became a guest of Belize Central Prison today when he was arraigned on charges of possession of a firearm whilst under the influence of alcohol above the prescribed limit, drinking in a public place and failed to provide specimen. Henry pled not guilty to the charges and Magistrate Clive Lino remanded him into custody until Friday, December 13. The first offence falls under the Firearms Act.
Henry’s attorney, Anthony Sylvestre, pointed out to the court that the first charge should be withdrawn because there is no way that it can be proven that Henry had alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit since he allegedly failed to provide specimen. But after the prosecutor consulted with the head of Police Prosecution Branch the charge was not withdrawn. Detective constable George Ferguson reported that yesterday Henry was drinking a bottle of Guinness at the corner of George Street and Glenn Street while he had his firearm. As a result, Henry was taken into custody and charged.