Freeman left with just under two years in prison for gun, ammo offences

Mario Omar Freeman was on Wednesday sentenced to 14 years in prison for illegal possession of a 9mm pistol and 13 rounds of ammunition. However, after deductions for time already spent on remand and an early guilty plea, he will serve 596 days for the gun and 109 days for the ammunition.

 

Freeman, who was 25 at the time of the offences, pleaded guilty to committing the offences on December 2, 2022, on Westbury Road, St Michael.

 

Declaring that a custodial sentence was appropriate for the offences, Justice Pamela Beckles, presiding in the No. 5 Supreme Court, gave a starting point of eight years for the firearm and six years for the ammunition.

 

“Bearing in mind that the gravity of the punishment must be commensurate with the gravity of the offences, and recognising that the length of the sentences must be proportionate to the harm done,” Justice Beckles said, before weighing the aggravating and mitigating circumstances.

 

Among the mitigating factors considered were Freeman’s early guilty plea, which saved the court time and resources, along with his acceptance of responsibility and expression of remorse.

 

“As the mitigating factors outweigh the aggravating factors, there will be a downward adjustment to the starting point by two years, leaving a nominal sentence of six years and four years respectively for possession of the firearm and the ammunition,” Justice Beckles said.

 

She gave Freeman full credit for the 864 days already spent in custody, and a one-third reduction for his early plea.

 

Addressing the seriousness of the offence, Justice Beckles told the convicted man: “Unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition are serious crimes for which Parliament has prescribed stiff penalties, clearly signalling society’s intolerance of such conduct.”

 

The judge encouraged the defendant to make constructive use of his incarceration: “During your period of incarceration, you are advised to enroll in any educational, vocational or skills training programme, which will enable you to acquire certification for a trade, as this would enhance your ability for gainful employment on your release,” she said.