Queen’s Drive resident to answer gun-related charge

Jonathan Diego Francis of Queen’s Drive is expected to return to court on April 14 to answer a gun-related charge.{{more}}

Francis was charged that on March 27 at Port Elizabeth, Bequia, with intent to commit an offence to wit “discharging a loaded firearm did an act which is more than merely preparatory to the commission of the offence.”

When he appeared before the Serious Offences court on Tuesday, Francis pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Senior prosecutor Adolphus Delpesche did not object to bail, but asked for sufficient surety and reporting conditions.

However, Francis’ lawyer, Richard Williams, objected, saying that the prosecution had not given a reason for the reporting condition.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias, however, told Williams that the nature of the offence was indeed serious and warranted the reporting condition.

Francis was then granted bail in the sum of $10,000, with one surety. He is expected to report to the Central Police Station every Friday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

His father, Bradley Francis and his brother, who were both present in court, stood his bail.(AS)