A Gemswick, St Philip man who admitted keeping an unlicensed firearm in his home claimed he had forgotten about it, telling the court it had been left with him for safekeeping by an elderly woman.
During his reappearance in the No. 5 Supreme Court, Anthony Sylvester Mayers apologised for having an unlicensed firearm and four bullets on October 4, 2024.
“I am sorry for my actions. It was not purposefully done. It was just a mistake. I am an upstanding person and would like a chance to correct the mistakes I have made.”
Acting Senior State Counsel Maya Kellman said that upon receiving information, officers went to Charnocks, Christ Church and, while in the area of the Grantley Adams International Airport, saw a vehicle driven by Mayers heading in the direction of Coverley.
They drove behind the vehicle and activated the beacon and siren, and Mayers stopped. He and the two persons with him were directed to get out and complied.
Nothing illegal was found in the search of the vehicle. Mayers was taken to his home and a safe was found in a closet in a bedroom. This was searched and a firearm was found in a plastic bag, along with four rounds of ammunition wrapped in foil paper.
The now convicted man told the police that the firearm had been given to him by an old lady from St George for safekeeping and that he had it for five months.
During his electronic interview, Mayers said: “I was just holding it,” adding that he had no intention of using the firearm and that the old lady, who he ran errands for, gave him the firearm as her house had been undergoing repairs.
“She said she didn’t want anybody to stick her up with it,” the convicted man told officers, adding: “I didn’t remember the gun because I don’t know the last time I went into the safe. My work schedule is very hectic and I forget I had it in the safe.”
Making submissions on her client’s behalf, Senior Counsel Angella Mitchell-Gittens highlighted one of the major mitigating factors in the case was that the firearm was locked away in a safe and had not been brandished in public.
“He should not have taken the firearm in the first place. It was a grave mistake that was made and, having taken it, he should have taken it to the police immediately,” Mitchell-Gittens conceded, before asking the court for a fine as was usually afforded to first-time offenders.
Acting Senior State Counsel Maya Kellman stated that it was aggravating that Mayers kept the gun for five months, that it was in good working order and that, at his age, he knew the implications. Mitigating was his cooperation with police and early guilty plea.
She submitted a 10 year starting point for each of the offences, with the alternative being a $25 000 fine, $15 000 of which was to be paid immediately for the firearm and $4 000 for the ammunition.
Justice Pamela Beckles will sentence Mayers on September 9.
(JB)
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