Christopher Thomas, Weekend STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Two Montego Bay, St James fishermen who were accused of spearfishing in a sanctuary at the Montego Bay Marine Park will return to court on September 19.

Kevon Simmonds and Calema Reid pleaded not guilty to fishing in a no-fishing area when they appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. However, they pleaded guilty with explanation to being armed with a dangerous weapon - a speargun.

Allegations are that about 10 a.m. on August 16, Simmonds and Reid were seen by the police fishing in the Marine Park sanctuary, despite the area being off-limits for fishing. The two attempted to flee, but were held and later charged.

"I'm a fisherman, that's the only job I have," said Simmonds, the more vocal of the two defendants, to Resident Magistrate Natalie Hart-Hines.

"Yes, but under the law the speargun is still considered a dangerous weapon and it is alleged that you were in the Marine Park."

"We were not in the Marine Park. We were walking on the road," argued Simmonds.

"When you say you were on the road, where exactly were you?" RM Hart-Hines asked.

"On the sidewalk, between Aqua Sol (Theme Park) and the Old Hospital Park going into Montego Bay," said Simmonds.

Meanwhile, the prosecution admitted that its case file is still incomplete as there is a statement that is still outstanding.

The matter was consequently set for mention on September 19.