Thirty-year-old St Kitts national, Randale Hanley, was charged with three counts of assault on a police officer and carrying an unlicensed firearm.

During his appearance before Magistrate Khadeen Palmer on October 27, the court was told that around midday on August 19, 2021, police officers was called to an accident that happened on the James Walter Francis Highway. A lone motorcycle had overturned beside a green garbage container and Hanley, who was found lying beside the motorcycle, appeared injured.

The court was informed the police officers who responded offered assistance to the accused and called an ambulance to help the injured defendant.

The court was told Hanley was behaving suspiciously to the police and he seemed agitated. This led one of the officers to scan the surrounding area for any illegal item. That is when the officer noticed the black handgun lying beside the garbage container.

The officer commanded Hanley to not move and raise his hands. However, the 30-year-old refused the request. And according to the prosecution, he chambered a bullet in the gun and aimed it at the police officers who froze in fear of their lives.

The armed Kittitian escaped in the vicinity of Purcell Estate and the police called for the armed unit then pursued him on foot. Hanley was eventually found and transported to the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital for treatment before he was taken into custody.

I never chambered a bullet

In court, Hanley disputed part of the prosecution’s story despite pleading guilty to the offences. He said although he had possession of the gun, he never chambered any bullet in it.

The 30-year-old told Magistrate Palmer he had previous arrests and convictions in St.Kitts which include armed robbery and deceiving a police officer.

Hanley is scheduled for sentencing on November 17. He was unrepresented when he attended court via Zoom from Her Majesty’s Prison.