Big gun fine for St Philip man

The possession of an illegal firearm and 20 rounds of ammunition will cost a young man $20 000.

The fine was imposed on Chad Joel Hunte, of Merrick’s Road, St Philip during a virtual sitting of the No. 2 Supreme Court this afternoon.

The 22-year-old had previously pleaded guilty before Justice Randall Worrell to the illegal possession of a .38 revolver and 20 rounds of ammunition on September 4, 2017.

The items were found when police executed a search warrant at Hunte’s residence.

“It is a matter that normally would attract a custodial sentence . . .  The Court also has to take into consideration the fact that you were of previously good character and you have thrown yourself at the mercy of the court.

“The court is of the opinion that having spent 21 months on remand and being a first time offender and throwing yourself at the mercy of the court . . .  your case does not fall within one who should be sent to prison at this point in time,” Justice Worrell said as he delivered his ruling.

Of the total fine $15 000 must be paid in 12 months or Hunte faces 12 months in prison in connection with the gun charge. For the ammunition he has 12 months to pay $5 000 or spend six months in prison. The terms of imprisonment are to run concurrently if activated.

The judge however pointed out that if a sentence were to be imposed, Hunte would have received six years in prison. From that, the time he had spent on remand, his guilty plea, and other mitigating factors would have been taken into account leaving him with 344 days more to spend in prison.

“Since the court is of the opinion that it is not a matter that you should be sent to prison for, the court is going to fine you,” Justice Worrell told Hunte who was represented by attorneys Queen’s Counsel Michael Lashley and Simon Clarke.

Crown Counsel Joyann Catwell was the prosecutor.