Terrorist charge PI, illegal gun, ammo charges continue
THE Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the charge of conspiracy to commit a terrorist act, against ex-Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lieutenant Oliver Hinckson, continued yesterday before Magistrate Gordon Gilhuys.

The 64-year-old Army veteran, of Lot 167 Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown, is alleged to have committed that crime last January 31.

He is also charged with having made a seditious speech to the public and news media, the purpose of which was to create hatred and contempt and promote public disorder.

The sedition case was called, as well, yesterday but the Special Prosecutor, attorney-at-law, Mr. Sanjeev Datadin, led Police Detective Sergeant Trevor Reid, from Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, through his evidence-in-chief for the conspiracy hearing.

Defence Counsel Nigel Hughes enquired of the magistrate whether or not he was ready to proceed with the sedition matter or if he would wait until the end of the conspiracy PI to start it.

Magistrate Gilhuys reminded Mr. Hughes that he had opted to ask the Acting Chief Magistrate to begin the sedition PI.

However, Datadin stated that the Prosecution has witnesses to do both matters continuously but would take them one at a time, so as to avoid confusion.

The pre-trial proceedings will resume on May 22.

Hinckson is also facing joint charges with another other ex-soldier, James Gibson.

Particulars of those offences said, on June 6, 2006, in an Aubrey Barker Street, South Ruimveldt house, in the city, too, the defendants had a .380 pistol, 12 rounds of matching ammunition and twenty-six 12-gauge shotgun cartridges without licences for them.

That trial started and Police Inspector Robert Tyndall, prosecuting, put other Police Inspector Carlton Charles on the witness stand.

Charles testified that he and more Police ranks went to the Aubrey Barker Street premises where he found the cartridges under a wardrobe, in a green and black canvas bag.

The witness said Gibson was not in the room of the find but in another of the same building.

Charles said he did not see clothing scattered about in the rooms and no fingerprints were taken at the scene.

That case has been adjourned to May 19.