Retired lawman John Mark Annel will be sentenced to a fine for having 100 illegal bullets in his possession six years ago.
So said Justice Pamela Beckles after Annel’s counsel, Angella Mitchell-Gittens, SC, begged the court to consider that a monetary penalty “would not be necessary to do justice to the matter.”
This comes after the retired Senior Superintendent said he was “under the misguided impression that Subsection 3(b) of the Firearms Act provided I could be in possession of the ammunition, once it was for the purpose of target practice.”
Annel, of Kenrick Hutson Drive, Lucas Street, St Philip, was back in the No. 5 Supreme Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to having 50 rounds of 9mm-calibre ammunition, as well as 50 rounds of .45mm-calibre ammunition in his possession on September 20, 2017. Annel, who told the court he joined the then called Royal Barbados Police Force in 1980, detailed his rise through the ranks and his responsibilities as the Force’s forensic firearms examiner. He further said that, when he was promoted to the rank of inspector, he was given a licensed firearm. He joined the Barbados Rifle and Pistol Federation and became an “avid shooter.” At one point, he had five licensed firearms until the cost of maintaining them became prohibitive.
“I’ve never tried to be dishonest or look to do any criminal act,” Annel told the court. (HLE)
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I am not sure of the rules to having a gun or ammunitions. However, what I would suggest is.
Time and money should be spent on the people who are really causing mayhem on the island.
I can see attention being given to a person who is showing signs of mental stress!
Then he, she shouldn’t handled a gun or any other illegal weapons!
Other than the above such people shouldn’t be pestered. Yes, I called it being pestered.
All the thugs are armed to a T, yet decent citizens are pestered for trying to protect themselves.
The law is the law…I guess.
There’s so much illegal guns on the streets…high powered ones too and most of the people that have them only know about them through YouTube lol
Can’t get that under control but yet have the audacity and time to pester trained professionals that have the knowledge of how to use or excerise these weapons..
Because he had in his possession more ammunition than allowed…
Chaa no wonder why the streets running the route
Unfortunately this country’ lost direction …SAD
I wouldn’t even write this story..do like if it’s a friend or a so call big up..let that one slide.