‘I kept gun for protection’

Phillips, 39, of 1st Avenue Jackson, St Michael, had pleaded guilty in the same court on January 15 to possession of a .380 automatic pistol and six rounds of ammunition on February 28, 2023.

State Counsel Treann Knight said that about 8:20 p.m. that evening, police officers went to Browne’s Gap, Jackson, St Michael after receiving information. When they arrived, several people were outside of a community centre, alongside the road.

Constable Ricardo Kellman noticed Phillips carrying a black bag; he stopped him and informed him that he fit the description of a man who was said to be carrying a firearm.

Phillips was searched and nothing illegal was found on him, but on searching the bag he was carrying, a gun was found inside. He was shown the gun, asked to account for it and then taken to the District “A” Police Station, where he was questioned further. Phillips later admitted to the police that he knew about the contraband and had no permit for either the weapon or the bullets.

Beside a tree

He also explained to lawmen that he found the firearm beside a tree while he was going home, through a track. He spotted a black sock beside a tree, kicked it and realised it had something hard inside. He picked up the sock and found the gun.

Phillips told police held on to the weapon because he had never seen one “close-up apart from on TV, or on a policeman’s hip” so he was “a little fascinated and excited to be close to one”.

He carried it home and kept it for his protection, or in case anyone interfered with his daughter.

When he was asked whether he had the firearm for sale, Phillips confessed that he did because he was “trying to do a little hustle”.

The matter was adjourned until April 21 and Phillips, who is unrepresented, continues on remand until then.

A pre-sentencing report was also ordered on him. (Sandra Downes)