Man freed of gun charges after witness fails to show at trial

A St Andrew construction worker accused of shooting at his ex-girl and her boyfriend has been freed of gun charges.

The charges of illegal possession of firearm and illegal possession of ammunition against Sheldon Robinson were dropped in the Gun Court after the complainant failed to show up for the trial hearing twice and could not be located or contacted.

Robinson, who was also accused of breaking the female’s foot, was also freed of assault.

On Thursday when the case was called up, the lead investigator gave detailed evidence of his efforts to locate the witnesses, all of which have proven futile.

Consequently, the Crown offered no evidence and a formal not guilty verdict was handed down by the judge.

Allegations were that on September 10, 2021, about 7:45 p.m., the couple was at a round-robin party at a bar in a Kingston, when Robinson and his friends came along.

The female complainant further alleged that while there, she saw an enraged Robinson quarrelling.

Based on Robinson’s attitude, she said that she became concerned and went in search of her boyfriend, who had stepped out of the bar.

The woman said that when she found him, she told him that she did not like how Robinson was behaving and that they needed to go home.

While on their way home, she alleged that Robinson came out of bushes and fired at her and her partner, and they both ran and sought refuge in her sister’s house.

Robinson allegedly also threatened to murder her.

However, according a police investigation found no spent shell at the alleged scene and residents in the area said they did not hear any gunshots.

In respect to the assault charge, prior to the alleged shooting incident, the complainant had reported that Robinson had broken one of her feet.

Attorney-at-law Matthew Hyatt represented Robinson.