Magistrate sentences man to five years for gun, ammo possession

A man who said he kept a gun because his life had been threatened was sentenced to five years in jail yesterday.{{more}}

Carl Thomas was found guilty, at the Serious Offences Court, of having in his possession an unlicensed .45mm semi-automatic pistol and three rounds of ammunition.

When Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias gave Thomas the opportunity to speak, the grey-haired man claimed that over the years, he has made several reports to the Central Police Station against the men who threaten his life.

“I have been in jeopardy since 2013,” he said.

“Over three years now, I don’t sleep comfortable on my bed. I can’t walk the street in peace,” Thomas continued.

On June 3, sergeant Dwayne Bailey headed a party of officers from the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) to Rose Place, where Thomas was seen standing outside a building.

According to police, Thomas made a sudden move into the building, which prompted Bailey and his team to follow him.

They identified themselves to him as police officers and conducted a search, during which a loaded gun, which was ready for firing, was found under a blanket of clothes.

Thomas was cautioned and arrested.

Browne-Matthias sentenced Thomas to five years in prison for possession of an unlicensed firearm and nine months for possession of unlicensed ammunition. She also made an order for the confiscation of the gun and ammunition.(CA)