A High Court judge has imposed $30 000 in fines on a self-confessed gun offender, underscoring that steadily increasing penalties reflect the State’s aggressive response to rising gun violence.
Devene Rhanelda Gale-Forde, of Inch Marlow, Christ Church, was ordered to pay $20 000 immediately for having a 9 mm calibre Glock on August 26, 2025. He was fined a further $10 000 for having 17 rounds of ammunition, payable by December 19.
Justice Pamela Beckles said: “Unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition are serious offences for which Parliament intended should be visited with stiff penalties, clearly signalling society’s intolerance and disapproval for such offences, as these types of offences endanger society and its citizens.
“The constant increase in penalties for firearm offences in Barbados suggests an escalating crisis in gun-related violence and an aggressive State response to prioritise public safety through severe legislative and judicial crackdowns as well as to demonstrate a zero-tolerance stance.”
Delivering the ruling in No. 5 Supreme Court on Thursday, the judge said each case should be determined on its own circumstances, as she arrived at a 10-year starting sentence for the firearm offence and six years for the ammunition.
After taking into account Gale-Forde’s mitigating factors, two years were deducted from each starting point. Following his 333 days on remand and a one-third credit for his guilty plea, Gale-Forde was left with four years and 154 days for the firearm and one year and 274 days for the ammunition.
Failure to pay either fine will result in him serving the respective custodial sentence.
The court heard that police were on patrol along Parish Land, Christ Church, when they saw a group of men and detected a strong scent of marijuana. They drove towards the group and saw one man 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 looked away. The officers exited the vehicle, and the now-convicted man ran off holding the crotch of his pants. The officers gave chase, 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 apprehended him and a search was carried out; the loaded firearm was found. Sixteen rounds of ammunition were in the magazine.
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.
Senior Counsel Andrew Pilgrim and attorney Summer Hassel represented Gale-Forde, while acting Senior State Counsel Maya Kellman prosecuted the case.
(JB)
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