Police said they would increase stop and search patrols as part of their crime crackdown. Many young black males, who are mostly targeted in the city, see it as unwarranted harassment, but police say it works. And that’s why today they are holding up the example of 19-year-old Wayne Harris.
At 10:15 this morning on Albert Street, a patrol team spotted two mean who they say were acting suspiciously. When police approached, one of the men threw an object under a parked car. It turned out to be a 9 milimeter pistol and it was loaded with 5 live rounds.
In court this evening, Harris was charged with keeping unlicensed firearm and keeping unlicensed ammunition. He pleaded not guilty to the gun possession, but claimed ownership of the ammunition, telling the Chief Magistrate that he did had them in his possession. The Chief Magistrate heard that he was pleading guilty to the ammunition, she asked him if he knew what he was doing and if he understood the penalty for the offense he taking ownership of. Turns out he didn’t because that’s when Harris s his head in uncertainty and said no he does not understand the penalty and when he was told the minimum jail term was 2 years to 5, he changed his plea to not guilty. Because of the nature of the offence, Harris was denied bail and remanded to the Hattieville Prison until September 4.
