The prosecution and the defence in a High Court case have agreed that a woman convicted of gun and ammunition charges should be sentenced to time served.
Shakira Nikita Mascoll, of Ashby Alley, Nelson Street, St Michael has already spent 45 months on remand at Dodds in connection with possession of a Tec-9mm semi-automatic pistol and 29 rounds of ammunition. The woman is currently out on bail. She had pleaded guilty before Madam Justice Pamela Beckles in the No. 5 Supreme Court to the August 10, 2015 offences.
According to the facts previously outlined by Principal Crown Counsel (PCC) Krystal Delaney, when police went to execute a search warrant at Mascoll’s residence and announced their presence she was seen running from the yard where she was washing her hair, into the house. She then threw a bag into the neighbour’s yard which contained the illegal weapon and bullets.
During investigations, she told lawmen that a man had given her the bag and with instructions to “keep it.” Mascoll claimed that the man threatened to “hurt” her mother and children if she did not do his bidding.
“So I ain’t had no choice,” she said.
Addressing the court this morning Mascoll apologized for her actions.
The now 31-year-old woman said, “I am sorry, I take full responsibility for my actions.
I have been in jail for a long time, a very long time away from my children which affect my relationship with my children. I am just asking the court to give me a chance please.”
Her attorney Angella Mitchell-Gittens then mitigated on her behalf telling the judge her client had several “significant” mitigating factors in her favour including the fact that she had no previous convictions before the offences currently before the court. The lawyer said there was no evidence that the firearm had been used or was linked to the commission of any criminal offences or enterprise.
“She has indicated that she was keeping it for someone and she herself had no intention of using it,” the lawyer submitted.
She also pointed to her client’s plea of guilty, the time she had spent on remand, her expression of remorse and the fact that she cooperated with the police from the onset.
Mascoll has also been assessed as being at a low to moderate risk of re-offending.
“The delay in this matter is another mitigating factor. This case is five years old,” Mitchell-Gittens submitted, adding that the main aggravating feature of the case was that a dangerous weapon was involved which had the potential to cause great harm.
She said when the court considered all those factors and gave the necessary deductions and credits, “the time she has spent on remand will be a suitable sentence in respect of these offences”.
Delaney agreed saying, “Time served will be an appropriate sentence.”
Mascoll will reappear before the High Court on Thursday, April 29 when Justice Beckles is expected to sentence her.
