A Portmore businessman, who was charged by the police for negligence arising from the theft of his firearm, will return to the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court on April 22 when the matter will again be heard.

He is John-Ross Thomas of Portmore, St Catherine.

The matter was put off as it was revealed in court that the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Kevin Maine, of the St Catherine Scene of Crime unit was not present in court.

The allegations are that sometime last month, the accused man's firearm went missing and following investigation he was charged.

Attorney-at-law Bert Samuels is representing Thomas.