No bail for ex-reporter on arms, ammo charges

Former Express reporter, Akile Simon, was denied bail yesterday when he reappeared in court charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition. Senior Magistrate Gail Gonzales, presiding in the Tunapuna First Court, denied a bail application  by Simon’s lawyer, Keith Scotland, on the basis that Simon had allegedly committed the latest offence while out on bail, six weeks after being arrested for a similar offence.

Simon, 29, is charged for possession of a .38 Beretta pistol and 13 rounds of .38 ammunition. He was arrested on July 8 after police searched an apartment at the corner of Meade and Henry streets, Tunapuna. Simon’s co-accused, Rodney Cave, 28, was granted $50,000 bail. Cave was arrested during the search on Sunday after police found five 12-gauge cartridges. The men are due to reappear in court on July 31.

Meanwhile, Simon and three others—former TV6 cameraman Brendon Alexander, security officer Marlie Charles and taxi-driver Randy Borris—will reappear before Senior Magistrate Lucina Cardenas-Ragoonanan in the Arima First Court today.
They  are charged with offences stemming from an alleged robbery attempt at K&A Liquor Mart, Arouca, on May 20.