A PH-driver who, through his attorney, claimed he was hijacked and was forced to run through a police roadblock ten years ago, was yesterday found guilty of six firearm-related charges.

Marlon Wells was yesterday remanded in custody until July 16 when his attorney is expected to make a plea in mitigation on his behalf.

A nine-member jury comprised six women and three men found the Eastern Quarry, Laventille, resident guilty of two counts of shooting with intent, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and two counts of possession of a firearm to endanger life.

The trial was heard before Justice Malcolm Holdip in the Second Criminal Court at the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain.

Evidence, as led by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Kathy Ann Waterman-Latchoo, is that Wells was driving along the Lady Young Road in Morvant around 1 a.m. on December 1, 2000. There were two other occupants in the car.

Insp Johnny Abraham, Sgt Henry Dann and Cpl Michael Veronique were part of a roadblock exercise and motioned to Wells to stop his vehicle, but instead he accelerated.

The officers reported there were loud explosions coming from the car which prompted Veronique to draw his service pistol and fire one round.

The court heard the vehicle swerved, spun out of control, crashed into an embankment and flipped in the air before landing on its wheels.

On searching the car, the officers found two loaded pistols. The men were arrested and subsequently charged.

Wells did not give evidence but his attorney, Ian Brooks, suggested to the State's witnesses that Wells was working as a PH driver and was hijacked and forced to drive through the roadblock.

Wells has three previous convictions for possession of marijuana, possession of ammunition and wasteful employment of police time.

One of the other occupants of the car was killed sometime after being charged while the other is also believed to be dead, having skipped bail.