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Veteran Cop Remanded
posted (February 16, 2012)
7news has been closely following the case of the Special Branch Corporal, Gino Peck, who was busted on January 21 with an illegal ammunition cache at his Currasow Street residence by the GSU. After a 3 week power struggle between GSU and the Police Department's Eastern Division, he was finally arraigned today for charges which were prepared since January 23.

Peck's arraignment in the Chief Magistrate's court room came as a surprise to many because Police Minister Doug Singh had told 7News weeks ago that he only has disciplinary charges to answer to.

Everyone was expecting the prosecution to formally withdraw the charges in court, but instead, a new court book was prepared and given to Peck in the courtroom of the Senior Magistrate, where the matter was initially scheduled to be heard.

He was then taken in front of Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith, where he was arraigned. The Director of Public Prosecution, Cheryl Taitt - Vidal, who represented the prosecution today, informed the Chief Magistrate the prosecution wished to discontinue pursuit of the matter against Peck's wife, Loretta, who had been jointly charged with him.

As a result, Chief Magistrate Smith dismissed all charges against Loretta and read 3 charges to Peck. He has to answer to two counts of keeping unlicensed ammunition for five rounds of .38 ammunition and 22 cartridges for a 12 gauge shotgun, and one count of keeping prohibited ammunition for 1 round of .45 ammunition.

Due to the nature of the offenses, he couldn't be granted bail at the Magistrate's level. As a result, he was remanded, and he is to return to court on April 17.

Peck has hired the services of attorney Simeon Sampson, so it is likely that a bail hearing on his behalf will be scheduled as soon as it is practicable in the Supreme Court.

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