A St John man has been ordered to pay $35 000 in fines after admitting to possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, as the court underscored the State’s firm stance against illegal weapons.
Lemar Waithe had pleaded guilty to being in unlawful possession of a .40 Smith and Wesson calibre semi-automatic pistol and 14 rounds of ammunition on December 10, 2024, during an earlier session of the Continuous Assizes.
State Counsel Paul Prescod prosecuted the case, while defence attorney Shadia Simpson represented the now convicted man.
The court heard that police executed a search warrant at Waithe’s home at Lovells Road, Massiah Street, St John, and found a leather man’s purse containing the firearm.
He told officers: “I find it in a session. Men run, beat off one shot and drop it. I picked it up and put it in my waist and run off. It got in 14 bullets,” later adding that “police bore de session”.
Justice Laurie-Anne Smith-Bovell said: “The fact that Parliament passed new legislation to increase the prison sentence for firearm possession, which can now be accompanied by a fine of up to $100 000 shows the State’s aversion to its citizens being in possession of illegal firearms. There is a clear intention on the part of the State to stamp out the practice by creating sentences to deter people.”
She found aggravating the dangerous calibre of the firearm, that it was loaded and ready to use, and the prevalence of such offences in society, while the sole mitigating factor was its recovery.
“Indiscriminate possession and use of firearms is wreaking havoc on our society. So much so that it amongst other illegal activities is being seen as a public health issue. This behaviour of illegally acquiring firearms for whatever reason must be stamped out,” the judge said, while giving him a ten-year starting point for the firearm and eight years for the ammunition.
These were reduced by one year each for his previously clean record and expression of remorse.
After being credited with a one-third discount for his plea and his 488 days on remand, Waithe was left with a sentence of four years 242 days for the firearm and three years and 120 days for the ammunition.
Noting that a fine would meet justice in this case, Justice Smith-Bovell ordered that he pay $25 000 for the firearm, $10 000 of which was immediately due, with the balance to be paid by December 18. The $10 000 fine for the ammunition was also due immediately.
If the fines are not paid, the remaining custodial sentences must be served and will run concurrently.
The case will be reviewed on June 26
(JB)
The post Man fined $35 000 for illegal firearm, ammunition appeared first on Barbados Today.
