Lead Stories

Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

THE NEW anti-crime laws which came into effect yesterday have stalled the sentencing of the three men who pleaded guilty on July 9 to illegal possession of firearm and ammunition stolen from the police armoury.

The men were to be sentenced yesterday in the Gun Court by Senior Puisne Judge Gloria Smith. However, the judge said she needed time to study the new legislation to determine what implications it would have in the sentencing of the men.

They were remanded to return on September 3 for sentencing.

Awaiting sentencing are civilians Charles Morris and David Blagrove, who worked as groundsmen at the police armoury at Elletson Road, and east Kingston businessman Garnett Pennington of Munster Road, Kingston 2.

Police Sergeant Russell Robinson, the reported mastermind behind the theft, was denied bail when he appeared in court on July 9. His trial is to start on September 10.

Pleaded guilty

Morris and Blagrove pleaded guilty to illegal possession of 18 firearms. The charges of illegal possession of 9,500 rounds of ammunition against the two men were withdrawn by the Crown after they changed their plea.

Pennington pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm and 660 rounds of ammunition. The gun was found in Pennington's bedroom while the rounds of ammunition were found at his business place on Mountain View Avenue, Kingston 2.

The three civilians have indicated to the court that they intend to be witnesses for the Crown in the case against Sergeant Robinson.

The policeman is facing trial for illegal possession of 18 firearms, which were allegedly found in his motor car on Munster Road in February.