Man must pay for having illegal weapon

The High Court has imposed a $5 000 fine on a man from Lower Carlton, St James who had a 12-gauge flare launcher.

Theodore Orlando Layne, has three months to pay the money to the No. 2 Supreme Court or he faces an alternative of two years in prison.

Madam Justice Wanda Blair handed down the ruling on the convicted man who had previously pleaded guilty before the court to the November 11, 2013 charge.

“I must say very clearly that this court is cognizant of the fact that there are too many illegal firearms on the streets of Barbados. A firearm in any form is a dangerous weapon that is capable of causing death and serious injury to hapless victims. The court has a responsibility to pass sentences toward . . . offenders.

“Too many times, as in this case, the court hears the weapon was found. First of all, I do not understand why [someone] would choose to pick up a firearm from the street when the average person knows the serious penalty for possession of such a weapon.

“Secondly, it appears to be much easier to find a gun than a dollar on the street, this makes no sense to the court. In this case the weapon found was a flare gun which is capable of discharging ammunition, which makes it just as dangerous as any other firearm,” the High Court Judge stated as she delivered her ruling.

Layne had also admitted to possession and cultivation of a quantity of cannabis on the same day. On the cultivation charge he was sentenced to time served based on the time he had spent on remand at Dodds. For possession of the illegal drug he was convicted, reprimanded and discharged.

Justice Blair has ordered that he return to court on May 14 to give an update on the payment of the fine.

Layne’s case was prosecuted by Crown Counsel Danielle Mottley. Attorneys-at-law Arthur Holder, Rhea Layne, Mariah Arthur and Ensley Grainger were Layne’s defence counsel.