SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine – A St Catherine woman who was allegedly found with a loaded .38 revolver strapped between her legs was remanded in custody yesterday when she appeared in the Spanish Town Criminal Court on charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

The woman, Tanisha Blake, 25, of 216 Greater Portmore, St Catherine, pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, Senior Resident Magistrate Lorna Errar- Gayle remanded her in custody and ordered the case transferred to the Gun Court for trial on February 23.

The magistrate ordered that Blake’s fingerprints be taken to determine if she has a criminal record.

Detective Corporal Rowan Lawrence of the Portmore police told the court that during a raid at the home of the accused on Thursday, February 1, nine cartridges were allegedly found in a component set. Blake and a man, who was said to be wanted on several counts of robbery were arrested. The man, whose name has been withheld, is to face an identification parade on Friday.

Yesterday, a policewoman told the court that Blake was searched at the Central Village Police Station, but before the search she made several requests to use the bathroom as she “desperately” wanted to urinate but her request was refused.

Allegations are that during a search of the woman’s body a black plastic bag was found strapped between her legs in the area of her genitals with a .38 revolver loaded with six cartridges.

The police told the court that when questioned Blake said she had bought the gun.