Man Charged After Air Rifle Found In Trunk

March 2007

Since the days of his youth, Anthony Beckles has had a problem with guns.

Beckles' troubles began at 16 when he used an air rifle to intentionally shoot himself in the foot He and a friend shot their bare feet to see what it felt like. His foot stung after the shot, he testified in court yesterday, but no serious harm was done.

In March 2003, Beckles, 24, used the butt end of a sawed-off shotgun to assault a victim during a bank robbery. The gun was accidentally fired, shooting Beckles in the left arm. Beckles had to have his arm aputated. Beckles said he was shot again, this time in the leg, in September 2006.

Three months later, on December 12, 2006, Beckle's past revisited him when an air rifle was found in the trunk of the car he was driving. He has been charged with possession of a weapon and breach of probation. He has plead not guilty.

Beckles testified that he was on his way to Mississauga with a friend, Temitope Olusoga. Beckles was driving a car that belonged to his boss, and was going to a nightclub. Beckles, who was under house arrest for previous convictions, was not supposed to be out unless working or accompanied by his mother.

While driving along Highway 427, Beckles cut off a police cruiser, and was pulled over and asked for his licence and registration. Beckles, who knew he was not supposed to be out, said he planned to try to slip out of trouble. "My plan was really was to use my brother's name and just get out of it." However, Beckles said he was pulled out of the car by an officer and showed his licence. However, the officer who dealt with Beckles disagreed, testifying that Beckles never presented any identification.

The officer, Dan Balachorek, placed Beckles in the back of the cruiser, where he was questioned by another officer, who couldn't see one of Beckle's arms. When he remained silent, Beckles said, the officer along with several others called as backup drew their weapons. Beckles' friend told officers his arm was missing.

After securing Beckles in the police cruiser, officers found an air rifle in the trunk of the car. Beckles testified that he did not know the weapon was there. Defence lawyer Jason Forget told the court Beckles had a "misconception about air rifles". Beckles told the court he believed the rifle could not seriously injure anyone because of his previous experience with it. "I thought they were totally harmless. I even got shot with one."

The trial continues in the Superior Court of Justice before Justice Caroyln Horkins.