Off-duty cop gets 20 years for attempted robbery

A policeman who attempted to rob an off-duty policewoman and a civilian of a motorcycle has been sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment.

Detective Constable Anthony Gayle, who was stationed at the Denham Town Police Station, was sentenced yesterday to a total of 70 years but he will serve 20 years as the sentences are to run concurrently.

He was found guilty of charges of illegal possession of firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, shooting with intent and attempted robbery.

Supreme Court Judge Donald McIntosh found Gayle guilty of the charges.

McIntosh sentenced him to 10 years' imprisonment for illegal possession of the ammunition and 20 years' imprisonment each for the other offences.

Crime committed in St Elizabeth

Jeremy Taylor, deputy director of public prosecutions, led evidence that in 2007, Gayle and a civilian went to St Elizabeth and attempted to rob an off-duty policewoman and a civilian of a motorcycle.

Gayle fired shots at the policewoman and the civilian while they were travelling on the Ballards Valley main road. The policewoman returned the fire and Gayle was shot.

The civilian, who was travelling with Gayle, ran away and is still at large.

Gayle went to the Junction Police Station in St Elizabeth and reported that someone on a motorcycle shot and injured him.

The police investigated the matter and it was revealed that he was shot during the attempted robbery and the car in which he was travelling was also damaged by the bullets.

In his defence, he denied committing the offences.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com