Ex-cop tells court he inadvertently took ammo after shooting range visit

In a video interview entered into evidence on Monday, former senior police officer Ashford Athelbert Rap Brown Jones claimed he had “inadvertently” placed 100 rounds of .40 calibre ammunition in his vehicle nearly six years ago.

Jones, 77, of Goodland, formerly of Inch Marlow, Christ Church, pleaded not guilty to possessing the ammunition on October 13, 2019, without a valid licence.

The interview, conducted by Inspector Duane Griffith and another officer, was played in the No. 2A Supreme Court as the trial continued before Justice Elwood Watts.

In the video, Jones said that on that Sunday, he went to the range at Paragon, Christ Church, to shoot a rifle and pistol. He said he had two boxes of .40 calibre ammunition.

According to Jones, the sun was very hot, and he ran out of water, and he decided to leave the range and go to PriceSmart to buy two cases of water before returning.

“I put all of my shooting equipment in my car and I inadvertently took those two packs of .40 calibre ammunition,” he said, before outlining the route he took from Paragon before being stopped by police on Grazettes Main Road.

“I am very sorry about the circumstances because I inadvertently put the ammunition in my car. That’s all,” he stated.

Jones was asked several questions by the investigating officer, including how and when he had obtained the ammunition and who had supplied it, but he did not reply.

King’s Counsel Michael Lashley and Senior Counsel Angella Mitchell-Gittens are representing Jones, while Principal State Counsel Oliver Thomas and State Counsel Dr Zoe King are prosecuting the matter.

The trial continues on Wednesday.