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by pltm
(PLTM) - Laurent Vanderbrouke, 42, a national of Martinique who was visiting the Territory on his boat with his girlfriend, is currently arrested and stationed at Her Majesty’s Prison after Immigration Officers found a gun on his boat.
The accused made an appearance before the Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon, November 17, and pleaded not guilty to the charges of failure to make declaration and keeping an unlicensed firearm.
According to the particulars of the matter, as put forward by Crown Counsel Herbert Potter, on November 13, the accused and his girlfriend made their first visit to the Territory, sailing in at Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda.
On November 14, he proceeded to get checked in and cleared with local customs and immigration officers.
The court heard that as per procedure, he was questioned whether or not he had anything to declare, to which he indicated no. In addition, he checked off the 'no' check box adjacent the question that inquires whether or not persons have any firearms to declare.
Later that day, as a result of a search conducted by the officers, a Black Powder 44 caliber revolver was found in the saloon of the boat, under the cushion of a chair in a brown leather holster.
Under police interview, he informed the officer that he knew it was on board and knew of its specific location.
Following a test conducted by local police armorer, the gun was indicated to be not operable---a fake gun.
The matter was listed by the court as a priority trial after an application for bail put forward by lawyer for the accused, Ms. Marie-Lou Creque, was objected to by the Crown.
He will make another appearance on November 28 and 29.
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