‘Found’ gun costs man $40 000

Ridon Thomas Pilgrim Ramsey has to pay $40 000 in fines for the firearm and ammunition he told police he found—or spend an additional four years and five months in prison.

 

The 25-year-old resident of Marshall Parkinson Gap, Tudor Bridge, St Michael, was sentenced for having a .40 semi-automatic pistol without a valid licence and 36 rounds of ammunition without a valid permit, on September 4, 2021.

 

Giving a starting point of eight years for both offences, Madam Justice Wanda Blair noted that contrary to the information provided to the police, Pilgrim Ramsey had told a probation officer that he was holding the firearm for a friend.

 

“I do not believe for one minute that you found them. If you did, you knew that if caught, you would have ended up just where you are today—before these courts. You are old enough to know actions have consequences and that in Barbados, these offences are very serious. There is no right to bear arms in this country!” she asserted.

 

The judge agreed with the offender’s mitigating factors submitted by State Counsel Eleazar Williams, including his young age at the time of the offence—he was 21—, his cooperation with the police and his moderate risk of re-offending. She therefore deducted six months from the sentence.

 

Credit was given for his early guilty plea and the 301 days spent in pre-trial custody.

 

“The court has noted that you are a young man who still has your whole future ahead of you. If you are disciplined enough, you can successfully grow your business. You don’t have to be employed by anyone to be successful—you can be your own boss. However, that is entirely a matter for you,” Justice Blair said.

 

Pilgrim Ramsey was fined $15,000 for the firearm offence, with the sum of $10,000 due immediately and the balance to be paid in two months or he will face four years and five months in prison. In addition, he has to pay $ 25 000 in two months for the 38 bullets or serve the same prison term.

 

If the fines are not paid, the prison sentences will run concurrently.

 

The court heard that police officers went to Ramsey’s residence. While outside, they heard a door slam and saw him running bareback and barefoot down a path away from them.

 

They pursued and eventually captured him. One of the officers saw what appeared to be the nozzle of a black firearm protruding from his left pants leg. When questioned, Ramsay told them it was a gun. A search of his right back pants pocket revealed green plastic wrap containing ammunition.

 

During an interview at the police station, Ramsay told police, “I ain’t find it far from out by me. It was covered over by leaves in a strap bag.”

 

Asked why he did not turn it over to the police, he replied, “To tell the honest truth, I don’t know because I was studying money.”