A self-confessed gunman faces a hefty fine or a five-year jail sentence for his crime when he reappears before the No. 4 Supreme Court on June 25.
Jason O’Neal Brathwaite pleaded guilty to having a 9mm Luger semi-automatic pistol that he had in his possession on August 20, 2013.
Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell heard in the facts read by Crown Counsel Kevin Forde that several young men were assembled in Black Rock, St Michel when Brathwaite drove up in his vehicle, got out with a gun in his hand and pointed it in the direction of the men, causing them to flee.
He then got back in his vehicle and drove to another St Michael area got out of the car with the gun in his hand again. An eyewitness saw him brandishing the weapon and saying: “Any of wunna see Theodore tell he don’t come back on my block selling wrappers or Fanta or it is two of these in he belly”. Brathwaite got back in his vehicle and drove away. The matter was reported.
Brathwaite was subsequently taken into custody and told of his rights to an attorney. “I talk to my lawyer already,” he stated before he was told of the report made.
“Yes I had my gun with me at Belfield because Theodore, a Rastaman always doing foolishness in the block and I was going for he,” said Brathwaite who further admitted that he was not a licensed gun holder.
Asked about the weapon the now-convicted man told police “wunna already got it.”
Brathwaite’s attorney Romain Marshall made further submissions on his behalf telling the High Court judge that since being out on bail his client “does not go around any blocks now, keeps to himself, does his farming” and tends to his children and family.
The defence counsel urged the court to consider imposing a fine on his client explaining that he was in a position to honour such a commitment with the help of family.
Justice Smith-Bovell made clear that if the fine was considered it would not be in the region of $25,000 but more so $40,000 given that Brathwaite was brandishing the illegal weapon.
The court also informed Brathwaite of a maximum sentence of five years – 121 days – with deductions for mitigation and other factors.
