Darrel John, the man who was last Friday found guilty of illegal firearm and ammunition possession was yesterday sentenced to 48 months imprisonment.
John was charged with having a .38 revolver and six matching rounds in his possession on September 27, 2015, when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.
According to the prosecution’s case, on the day in question John drew a firearm and threatened to kill several police ranks who were on patrol after they asked to conduct a search on the vehicle that he was driving.
It was reported that when the ranks approached the vehicle, John pulled out the weapon and pointed it at them before speeding away. A nearby police patrol was summoned and managed to stop the vehicle and search it. As a result of the search, ranks discovered a .32 pistol and several rounds of ammunition.
During yesterday’s court proceedings, attorney-at-law George Thomas, who represented the defendant, told the court that John no longer wished to have a probation report done as was previously requested by his former attorney Charles Ramson Jnr.
Thomas then requested a minimal sentence for the defendant who he said is a first-time offender and has a minor child.
Magistrate Judy Latchman stated that she took into consideration the seriousness of the offence, the fact that the defendant made a serious threat to police officers and the prevalence of the offence.
The 23-year-old defendant was subsequently sentenced to 48 months imprisonment for each offence and fined $60,000 on each count. John will serve 48 months imprisonment as the sentences will run concurrently.
The defendant, who was also charged with having in his possession four 9mm rounds and two .32 rounds, had that matter dismissed last Friday after insufficient evidence was presented by the prosecution.
