Prosecution and defence counsel have proposed significantly different fines for a Christ Church man who admitted possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Earlier this year, Devere Gale-Forde, of Inch Marlow, Christ Church, pleaded guilty to having a firearm and 16 rounds of ammunition on August 26, 2025. During his reappearance before Justice Pamela Beckles in the No. 5 Supreme Court on Thursday, he was arraigned on another indictment and admitted to having a single round on August 27, 2025.
Making sentencing submissions, Senior Counsel Andrew Pilgrim noted that his client was 25, had no previous convictions, had entered an early plea and had accepted responsibility for the offence. He also stated that there was no evidence that the handgun had been used to commit any other offence and submitted the court to consider an eight to ten year starting point.
The defence attorney urged the court to consider a fine of between $10 000 and $15 000 for the gun offence, with a fine of $500 for each round of ammunition.
Acting Senior State Counsel Maya Kellman, however, submitted that Gale-Forde pay a fine of between $20 000 and $25 000 for the 9mm Luger calibre firearm.
Noting that Gale-Forde told the probation officer that he had the gun for protection as he was wearing expensive jewellery, she found aggravating that the firearm was in a public place, that it was a powerful gun and the prevalence of such offences in society, and gave a 10-year starting point for the firearm offence.
She put forward that one year be deducted for his expression of remorse, previously clean record and early admission of guilt, and that he be credited for his 325 days on remand and one-third for his guilty plea.
Agreeing with the defence that the imposition of a fine would meet justice in this case, she submitted that $20 000 should be paid forthwith, with the remaining balance to be paid in three months for the firearm and that tge convicted man be fined $1 000 for each round.
Gale-Forde will be sentenced on July 29.
The court heard that police were on patrol along Parish Land, Christ Church, on August 26, 2025, where they saw a group of men, with a strong scent of marijuana emanating from it, arousing suspicions. They drove towards the group and saw a male standing in a low-lit area wearing long black pants and a black hoodie.
They identified themselves as officers and asked him to come forward, but the man did not move and looked away. The lawmen exited the vehicle and the now convicted man ran off in a westerly direction holding the crotch of his pants. The officers chased him shouting ‘Armed police. Stop!’ but Gale-Forde continued running before attempting to jump over a four-foot wall. He tripped over an attached galvanised sheet and fell to the ground.
The officers held him and a search was carried out and the loaded firearm was found. Sixteen rounds of ammunition were found in the magazine.
When asked to give an account of the gun he said: “That is the gun that was on me.”
Gale-Forde gave a no comment interview and the next day was taken to his home where a search resulted in a single round of ammunition being found.
Addressing the court, the convicted man said: “I am very very sorry. I never want to be in this predicament again and want to change my life for the better. Again, I am very sorry.”
(JB)
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