BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — The High Court on Monday ordered a Jamaican, Onickey Orain Reid, to pay a fine of BD$15,000 (One Barbados dollar=US$0.50 cents), after apologising for being caught with a firearm here.

Failure to pay the fine will result in him spending the alternative of 645 days in prison, which is the remainder of an eight-year starting sentence.

In handing down the ruling, Justice Pamela Beckles told Reid, “Upon your payment of the fine or service of the time, you are to be released into the custody of the Immigration Department for the appropriate action”.

On April 29, 2022, Reid pleaded guilty to having possession of an illegal 5.56mm calibre rifle.

The gun was discovered, by police, in the trunk of a car occupied by Reid and another person.

“I am sorry for being caught up…in this in Barbados,” Reid told the judge as he pleaded for leniency from the court so, “I can return home to my family to proceed with my surgical matter and my life. I apologise to the State of Barbados for being caught with a firearm”.

It was revealed that Reid is suffering from a gunshot wound for which he receives medical attention.