A married couple yesterday denied the use of an imitation firearm to hold a man hostage.

Sam Fraser-Smith, 41, and Saruttana Fraser-Smith, 37, were earlier accused in Magistrates’ Court of possession of a fake gun, confining Romone Reed against his will and the use of threatening behaviour.

The two were sent from the lower court to the Supreme Court on November 2.

Magistrates’ Court heard at the time that it was believed that possession of an imitation firearm was a charge that must be heard in the Supreme Court and the couple appeared on December 1.

But Charles Richardson, for the defence, said the Supreme Court had ruled that the offence could be tried in either court.

The case was sent back to Magistrates’ Court to allow the defendants to decide.

The couple, from Hamilton Parish, yesterday asked for the case to be heard in Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the alleged offences.

Mr Fraser-Smith was alleged to have pointed the imitation gun at Mr Reed and demanded identification.

Ms Fraser-Smith was alleged to have held Mr Reed at knifepoint and also demanded identification.

The incident is alleged to have happened on October 28 at a house in Hamilton Parish.

Mr Richardson said that there was no evidence to support the “essential elements” of the charges.

He added that, if the case was dismissed, he would seek costs from the Department of Public Prosecutions.

Senior magistrate Juan Wolffe adjourned the case until December 14 and extended the couple’s $3,000 bail.

• It is The Royal Gazette’s policy not to allow comments on stories regarding criminal court cases. This is to prevent any statements being published that may jeopardise the outcome of that case.