By Nicholas Bass
Principal Magistrate Isatou Dabo of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court, on Tuesday, 27th September 2022 pronounced Benny Clovis Mayer, an American man guilty of being in possession of a BB gun with thirty-one (31) pellets and was fined one hundred thousand Dalasi and a suspended sentence of ten years under surveillance.
The 69-year-old American, Benny Clovis Mayer, during his plea for mitigation from the court on the 21st September, 2022 shows remorse over the illegal possession of a BB gun, and he pleaded for mercy from the court. He said his wife is sick and if he is detained in prison it will ruin his family.
However, the presiding Magistrate Isatou Dabo stated that the facts narrated by Sergeant Ousainou Touray, the Police Prosecuting Officer established that the accused, Benny Clovis Mayer possessing firearms contrary to section 8 and it is punishable under section 25 (2) (b) of the arms and ammunition Act Cap 21:01 Volumes IV Laws of the Gambia 2009.
Benny Clovis Mayer residing in Sanyang Village in West Coast Region in his last appearance before the Principal Magistrate Isatou Dabo at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court regretted breaking the Laws of the Gambia through his countenance but he had no chance to speak to the court except to listen to the Magistrate’s ruling.
“Benny Clovis Mayer is hereby convicted and fined to pay a sum of one hundred thousand Dalasi (D100,000) for being in possession of firearms and a suspended sentence of ten years of surveillance.
Therefore, Benny Clovis Mayer should forfeit his weapon to the state,” Principal Magistrate Isatou Dabo ruled.