Chester Cottage man on gun charges breaches curfew

Just 19 days after he appeared in court on seven charges in relation to a shooting incident at Byrea, Rolando Samuel found himself back before the court after he breached the court’s orders.

The 36 year old, Rolando Samuel, a labourer of Chester Cottage and Troumaca appeared in the Kingstown Magistrate Court before Senior Magistrate, Rickie Burnett on Tuesday, December 20 on a new charge- that he wilfully disobeyed court order 356-362 /22 made by Chief Magistrate, Rechanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court on November 30.

Samuel is said to have broken a 7:00 p.m- 6:00 a.m daily curfew that was issued as part of his bail conditions when he appeared in court on November 30. Since the Chief Magistrate had issued the curfew, the matter was sent on to the Kingstown Magistrate Court, and the Senior magistrate fined the defendant $1500.00. Samuel must pay this amount by March 31, 2023 or he will spend nine months in prison.

The defendant is currently facing seven indictable charges in relation to the shooting incident at Byrea. He is charged for unlawfully and maliciously wounding Lanique Jacobs with the intent to do so. He was also charged for unlawfully and maliciously wounding Shanique Yearwood of England/ Georgetown with the intent to do so. In addition, he has a third wounding charge that- he did unlawfully and maliciously wound Ifranton Dickson of Mt. Bentick, Georgetown with the intent to do so.

Samuel was also charged for having in his possession one firearm at S and M bar and restaurant at Byera with the intent to endanger life. He was further charged for having in his possession eight rounds of .9mm ammunition without a license issued under the Firearms Act; for having one firearm with the intent to commit an offence; and for having in his possession one glock .43 pistol serial number BHDD451 without a license issued under the Firearms Act.

The Chief Magistrate had granted the defendant bail in the sum of $20,000.00 and Samuel was required to submit all travel documents, report to the Rose Hall Police station twice per week, and observe a daily 7:00 p.m to 6:00 a.m curfew.

Stop notices were also placed at all ports of exit and entry.

According to the facts presented on December 20, officers stationed at the Georgetown Police Station were on patrol in the area of Chester Cottage around 9:15 p.m on December 17. On reaching the vicinity of Adams Bar they noticed that there was a small crowd and amplified music was being played.

The officers went into the bar and saw the defendant standing at a table around a laptop, and it appeared as though he was the dee jay.

One of the officers knows the defendant well and has knowledge that he was arrested and taken to court for several offences in which he was granted bail with certain conditions, one of these being the daily curfew.

The officers identified themselves to the defendant and asked him what he was doing at the bar at that time, knowing that he is under a curfew order. He told the police “Me just come out ya fuh get something fuh eat, me hungry man.”

As a result, he was arrested for breach of court order and was taken to the Georgetown Police Station.

The senior magistrate ordered the defendant to pay a fine of $1500.00 by March 31, 2023 and if he fails to do so he will spend nine months in prison.