'Munster' lockdown - Men get 138 years for stolen police guns

Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

DESPITE indicating they are willing to testify against a police sergeant deemed to be the mastermind in a major gun robbery at the police armoury, two of the three civilians who pleaded guilty to illegal possession of firearms and ammunition have each been sentenced to 138 years in prison.

Charles Morris, 47, and David Blagrove, 43, who worked as groundsmen at the police armoury at Elletson Road, Kingston, pleaded guilty in July to illegal possession of 18 firearms. They were sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment each for illegal possession of two M16 rifles, and seven years' imprisonment for the other firearms.

This means the men have been each sentenced to 26 years for the possesion of the M16 rifles, and a total of 112 years each for the other 16 guns. However, the sentences are to run concurrently, so they will serve 13 years.

Senior Puisne Judge Gloria Smith, in passing sentence in the Gun Court yesterday, commented on the large number of guns on the streets and said she had to take that into account.

In response to mitigation pleas by the men's lawyers, the judge said they were grown men and should have been setting an example.

The other civilian, Garnett Pennington, 44, businessman, of Munster Road, Kingston 2, was sentenced to seven years' imprison-ment for illegal possession of a firearm, and three years for illegal possession of 660 rounds of ammunition.

The sentences are to run consecutively. He will serve 10 years.

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 13.

Dirk Harrison, deputy director of public prosecutions, and Broderick  Smith, crown counsel, in outlining the facts of the case said the gun was found in Pennington's bedroom while the rounds of ammunition were found at his business place on Munster Road.

The other two civilians were arrested and charged when the police searched Robinson's motor car on Munster Road in February and allegedly found firearms inside.

One of the groundsmen was in the car with Russell. The other was taken into custody the next day.

Following their guilty pleas, the three civilians indicated to the court that it was their intention to be witnesses for the Crown in the case against Robinson.

The Gleaner understands that Pennington has given a statement to investigators since pleading guilty, an indication that he intends to be a Crown witness.

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