Partially blind man, 69, pulls gun on 24-year-old mechanic (+VIDEO)

A 69-year-old visually impaired man told the court he mistakenly pulled his gun on another man who he thought had stolen his cell phone.

Diamond resident, John Bristol appeared in the Serious Offences Court before Chief Magistrate, Rechanne Browne on February 27, for his arraignment.

The elderly man pleaded guilty to charges that on February 26, at Diamond, he had in his possession one black and grey Walther 4.5mm pistol, serial number unknown, without a license issued under the Firearms Act. He also pleaded guilty to assaulting Arnold Baptiste of Riley with intent to commit an offence.

Bristol is expected to return to court today for sentencing.

According to the facts presented by Sergeant, Atnel Ash, on February 26, at around 8:00 a.m, officers at the Stubbs Police Station received a report from PC 629 Richards who was off duty, that there was a situation involving two men and a firearm at the Diamond Grocery Supermarket in Diamond.

PC 591 Robinson responded and took both men into custody at the Stubbs Police Station. Detective Constable 968 Soleyn carried out investigations and PC 591 Robinson handed over one black and grey metal-like object resembling a firearm.

On arrival at the police station Soleyn identified himself to Arnold Baptiste, a 24-year-old mechanic of Riley and the 69-year-old defendant, John Felix Bristol, a security guard of Diamond. He informed them on the offence of possession of an unlicensed firearm and cautioned them both.

Baptiste responded, “Officer the gun nah mine, is his.” The Defendant responded, “is he had the gun, me ain’t had no gun.”

The firearm was tested and it was confirmed to be a 4.5mm Walther Firearm, serial number unknown.

Conducting investigations, Solelyn went to the supermarket in Diamond and reviewed CCTV footage. It showed that the defendant had pulled the firearm from his waist.

Bristol was taken into custody at the Calliaqua Police Station and around 11:20 a.m the same day, detective Soleyn conducted a search at his home and premises. However, nothing was found. Later that same day, Bristol was cautioned and shown the CCTV footage.

He said, “officer, yes officer, is me had the gun.”

A Justice of the Peace (JP) was contacted and when he arrived the defendant was reminded that he was still under caution. In the presence of the JP Solelyn said, “Officer, I had the gun and I pulled it from my waist and pointed it to the man name Arnold Baptiste because upon seeing Mr. Baptiste I wanted to frighten him because he resemble a man name Nazem of Brighton who stole my cellular phone some months ago from me”.

He was arrested and charged.

CCTV footage played in court showed a scuffle between the defendant and the complainant in the supermarket. They wrestled for a few minutes, and the defendant was also seen with the gun in his hands.

During his mitigation, Bristol pointed at his eyes and said, “ This eye blind and I could hardly see out ah this [the other eye].” He told the court that a guy had stolen his phone and that he went to the police.

However, when he met the complainant he thought Baptiste was the one who had stolen his phone.

“I dey watching him and say, dah the guy who tek my phone,” he told the court.

“ I tek out the gun to go frighten him and say, way my phone, way my phone…”.

Bristol said he never intended to cause any harm as there was no ammunition in the gun.

He said, “I frighten him to get my phone, but I realize that is not the guy”.

Bristol also told the court that he and Baptiste did not know each other.

When the Chief Magistrate asked him what was he doing with a firearm, the defendant said, “ I know that it, is wrong. I know I should not have it but the problem is I can’t see too good…”.

Bristol told the court that his home was previously burglarized and he had the gun to “frighten” persons as his defence.

He also told the court that the firearm never had any ammunition in it, and he had never used it to rob or kill anyone.

“He is very strong, a very strong guy,” were the words Bristol used to describe the strength of the virtual complainant.

Bristol said he was fighting with the complainant because he did not want him to get the gun so he was “holding on for life”.

The defendant however admitted that he has to take it easy due to his age and his reduced vision as he can “turn over”.

The Chief Magistrate highlighted the traumatic experience that the altercation could have caused the complainant since he was mistakenly assaulted.

“Sometimes we take these things slightly, but it can have such an impact on the person…,” she said.

Prosecutor, station sergeant, Renrick Cato asked for the matter to be adjourned to February, 28 for sentencing.

The elderly man was remanded into custody.