Guilty plea offered on gun charges

A young man has pleaded guilty to firearm and ammunition charges in the High Court.

Jamar Julien Ricardo Proverbs, a first time offender, from Crawford Road, Ellerton, St George offered the plea today after originally being arrested on August 25, 2017.

Lawmen were on mobile patrol that afternoon travelling along Kendal Hill, Christ Church when the noticed a motorcycle with two men on board. Proverbs was the pillion rider.

When officers got the driver to stop the motorcycle, Proverbs, who was wearing a backpack, jumped off and fled. He was seen throwing the backpack into a bushy area before police caught him.

Senior Crown Counsel Olivia Davis said when the bag was retrieved a small revolver, five rounds of ammunition and four empty shells were found.

“Sir don’t charge me for the gun, give me a break,” he told police on his arrest.

He was taken to the Oistins Police Station and told of his rights to an attorney. ”I don’t want any so go ahead and talk to me,” he told the police.

He was then cautioned and asked about the firearm. He told police that while they had held him with the gun he was holding the bag for another man so he could be comfortable on the motorcycle. Proverbs also admitted that he had seen the gun the night before when he was at a “birthday bash”.

He said he subsequently held it and fired two shots. “When I fired the gun it was so loud it ring my ears,” said the then 21-year-old coconut vendor who added that he gave the weapon back to his friend.

The prosecutor said police investigations showed that the gun, a .32 long caliber revolver, belonged to another man and was last registered in 2005. The four shells, found in Proverbs’ possession, were fired from the weapon.

The trial of the now convicted man, who was represented by attorney-at-law Krystal Fenty will continue on Tuesday, June 2 via Zoom before Justice Randall Worrell who is presiding over the No. 2 Supreme Court. The time he has spent on remand at Dodds will be detailed to the court at that time.

A presentencing report has been ordered in the meantime in preparation for sentencing.