Photo: Dwayne Sutherland, Jr.

by Roy Davis (freelance reporter)

Belize City, Thurs. Apr. 20, 2023

Dwayne Sutherland, Jr., 24, a construction worker of Ladyville, who was a constable, but was dismissed from the Police Force after he was remanded in prison on gun and ammunition charges, was offered a bail of $30,000 today by Justice Ricardo Sandcroft.

Justice Sandcroft stipulated that Sutherland can meet bail if 6 people sign as sureties on his behalf.

The bail was granted on the condition that Sutherland report to Ladyville Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until the matter has concluded; that he surrender his passport and other travel document to the court; that a stop order be served on the office of the Immigration Department at every exit from Belize; that a curfew be implemented for him; and that he does not get charged with any other offence while on bail.

Sutherland was busted with a chrome color .38 revolver with one round of ammunition in its chamber that was in a blue school bag. The incident occurred about 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, near to Gwen’s Restaurant on Coney Drive. The police reported that Sutherland was detained with the bag in his possession and when the bag was searched in his presence, it yielded the firearm and ammunition. When asked what he was doing with the revolver and live round of ammunition, Sutherland said that it was for his protection. He was unable to produce a license for the firearm, so he was charged with kept firearm and ammunition without a gun license.

Sutherland was represented in court by attorney Godwin Haylock.