News
NO MERCY! - Civilians in gun bust get long sentences
Lawyer says prison term for Munster Road convict harsh
Saturday, September 04, 2010
BUSINESSMAN Garnett Pellington and his two co-accused in February's massive gun and ammunition find along Munster Road in East Kingston were yesterday sentenced in the High Court Division of the Gun Court.
Pellington was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, while Charles Morris and David Blagrove were each sentenced to 20 years behind bars on their multiple counts. The men will, however, serve only 13 years behind bars as the sentences are to run concurrently.
The men were sentenced by Justice Gloria Smith, who said they needed to take responsibility for their actions and that what they had done were serious indictments.
Pellington had previously pleaded guilty to a count of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition simpliciter, and Morris and Blagrove pleaded guilty to all 19 counts for which they were charged.
Police sergeant Russell Robinson -- who was charged along with the men and pleaded not guilty in connection with 18 counts of illegal possession of firearms -- is to be tried on September 10.
The men had entered the guilty plea with the understanding that they would give evidence against Robinson.
But in light of what is being described by attorney Tom Tavares-Finson as a harsh sentence, Pellington could re-consider the option of co-operating with the prosecution against the cop. He said that Pellington has already given a statement in preparation for giving evidence.
"In view of this sentence of 10 years, I have no doubt that my client will review his offer to co-operate with the crown," said Tavares-Finson, who, along with his son Chris, appeared for Pellington.
There is currently no plea-bargaining legislation in Jamaica.
The four were arrested on February 4 following the gun and ammunition find at Munster Road in East Kingston.
Robinson, who was assigned to the armoury and stores at the Elletson Road Police Station, was also charged for breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act after police alleged that he begged the arresting cops in the Munster Road bust to release or kill him.
Morris and Blagrove worked at the station at the time of their arrests. The guns and ammunition were found to have been stolen from the armoury over time.
 
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9/5/2010
We need more Justices like this the Hon. Smith
9/4/2010
So Mr. Pellington pleaded guilty thinking he'd get off easy, but that didn't work, so now he MAY revert his plea? For all I care, those 18 guns would have taken multiple innocent lives, probably even mine, probably even yours. Therefore the maximum sentence should be enforced indeed, Jamaicans have decided that we must divert minds from entering the field of crime and cruelty against man. Make an example of them all, the trigger man, the middle man and the boss man. Mi tired of it.
9/4/2010
This is the kind of Person we need (Justice Gloria Smith) as a sitting Judge to dispense Justice on all criminal and corruption cases forwarded by the Contractor General's Office for resolution. Greg Christie should also have Prosecutorial Powers, which would alleviate the wiggling, waffling and wavering of the current DPP.
9/4/2010
Its overdue to send these so called businessmen hiding behind a front while criminalizing others,perverting society to be sent to prison at hard labour.I say bring back the Cat O Nine whip where criminals was lashed 81 times at the start and finish of their sentences.and they never returned to a life of crime.All their assets needs to be confiscated so the message is delivered if you are a criminal you are going to loose everything you earned.only then will criminals think 10 times before a act
9/4/2010
Ja sentencing guidlines is rediculous. Those people should get life in prison. What will it take then, for someone to get life in prison in JA? By the way, how come they never post a picture of the corrupt policeman?
9/4/2010
Thank you, your honour for making these slime bags an example
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