Man tells police gun was for his protection

The unlicensed .38 calibre pistol police found strapped to Adrian Redman’s ankle was for his protection when he was out at night.

That is what he told lawmen, according to Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale SC as he gave details of what led up to the Haggatt Hall, St Michael resident being charged with gun and ammunition possession.

Earlier this week, when he appeared before Madam Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell, Redman pleaded guilty to having the pistol without a valid licence and 14 rounds of ammunition without a valid permit on May 14, 2009.

Seale told the No. 4 Supreme Court that  police were on duty along My Lord’s Hill, St Michael around 11:35 p.m. on the mentioned date when they observed a Suzuki van parked at the side of the road. They saw two people inside – Redman, who was the passenger, and the driver, who is now deceased.

The officers told the two men to get out of the vehicle and informed them that police had received information that they were illegally in possession of a firearm and ammunition. They found nine rounds of ammunition in a plastic bag when they searched the vehicle which was carrying various types of bread.

Redman, who initially denied any knowledge of the illegal items, was arrested and taken to the police station and searched. It was then that a revolver with five rounds of ammunition was found strapped to his ankle.

When asked to give an account, he told the officers, “I get the gun for protection when we out here at night.”

Redman, who is represented by Senior Counsel Angella Mitchell-Gittens, waived a pre-sentence report and was allowed to remain on bail.

The matter was adjourned until September 26 when sentencing submissions are to be heard by the judge.