Man was ’keeping firearm for old lady’

This was the explanation Anthony Sylvester Mayers gave to police when they asked him to account for the illegal weapon in his house.

Mayers, of Gemswick, St Philip, was back in the No 5 Supreme Court yesterday, where he had pleaded guilty to having a firearm, as well as four rounds of ammunition in his possession on October 4, 2024.

He was represented by Senior Counsel Angella Mitchell-Gittens.

Mayers apologised for his actions. “It wasn’t done purposely. It was just a mistake. I would like to have a chance to correct the mistakes I’ve made,” he told the court.

Justice Pamela Beckles will sentence him on September 9.

Senior State Counsel Maya Kellman, who read the facts, said lawmen went to Charnocks, Christ Church, after receiving information. They then saw a vehicle, driven by Mayers, leaving Grantley Adams International Airport and travelling in the direction of Coverley.

They followed it and subsequently ordered Mayers to stop. He, his girlfriend and another man were ordered out.

Police searched Mayers and his vehicle but found nothing illegal.

He was arrested on the suspicion of having an illegal firearm and taken to his home. It was as they were searching a closet in a bedroom that law men saw a safe. When they searched it, they found a gun in a plastic bag and a piece of foil with four rounds of ammunition.

Mayers told police the gun was his and had nothing to do with his girlfriend.

When asked if he had a licence, he said: “No, it was given to me by an old lady from St George named Sister Lyte about five months ago.” He added the same “old lady” had given him the bullets.

When interviewed by police, Mayers explained he was “just holding it”.

“I had no intention of doing anything with it,” he said.

He told police the woman’s house was undergoing repairs and she had given it to him for safekeeping. He added he had placed it in his safe and forgot it there.

“I had no intention to use the firearm,” he said. (HLE)