Bush Hall man fined $17 000 for illegal gun possession

A St Michael man has been fined a total of $17 000 after being convicted of possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, dating back to a 2020 incident in which he was seen running from police before throwing a revolver onto a rooftop.

Jakran Ta’Shawn Shamar Griffith of Alleyne Land, Bush Hall was ordered to pay $12 000 immediately for having a .38 special calibre revolver without a valid licence on February 7, 2020.

He was also fined $5 000 for having the ammunition without a valid permit. This is to be paid in nine months.

During Griffith’s reappearance before Supreme Court No. 2A, Justice Elwood Watts gave a starting point of eight years for the firearm, and after mitigating factors, his guilty plea and remand time were taken into account, the convicted man was left with 771 days to serve. The fine of $12 000 was then given as an alternative.

Failure to pay either fine would result in him serving the remaining custodial sentence.

State Counsel Dr Zoe King told the court that officers went to Bishop’s Gap and Turton’s Gap, both along Gittens Road, Government Hill. Two of the officers approached Bishop’s Gap on foot when they heard the sound of running footsteps and saw Griffith running very quickly towards them while holding the waist of his trousers. After looking in the direction of the officers, the now convicted man diverted from running through the track and ran along Bishop’s Gap.

He was then pursued along Bishop’s Gap heading towards Gittens Road and the first officer shouted: “Police, drop the gun,” and saw the convicted man put his hands to his side. He then turned his upper body, while still running, and pointed his right hand in the direction of the officers. It was then that the second officer saw that the convicted man was holding a revolver in the same hand.

The officer then saw Griffith throw the firearm onto the roof of a house. The firearm was retrieved in the yard of the residence.

When questioned, the convicted man initially denied knowledge, saying: “That is not mine, I throw a bag of weed over the paling, not a gun.” He later admitted that the gun and ammunition were his.

(JB)