ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – A Jamaican man has been sentenced to over four years in prison in Antigua and Barbuda for possessing what prosecutors describe as an extremely deadly battle rifle that can fire up to 700 rounds per minute.

Twenty-seven-year-old Akini Walker appeared before Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a black Fabrique Nationale FAL rifle and unlawful possession of 18 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammunition.

The court heard that the Belgian-made weapon is capable of firing 650 to 700 rounds of ammunition per minute and has a range of 1000 meters.

Prosecutors said the firearm is so powerful that the only ballistic vests able to withstand its rounds are level three vests specifically designed with hard armour plates – equipment that is not available to police or defence force personnel in Antigua and Barbuda.

Walker received four years and four months for possession of the firearm and two years for possession of ammunition. Both sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve the longer sentence of four years and four months.

Meanwhile, in a separate case, a man was remanded to His Majesty’s Prison after appearing before Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel on Wednesday on gun and ammunition charges.

Sheldon Sambury returns to court today when the magistrate will hear the facts of the case before imposing a sentence.

After conducting an operation in Bendals on Sunday, the police took Sheldon and Prince Sambury into custody after finding a revolver and matching rounds of ammunition at their residence.

They were subsequently charged with possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition. Reports are that the bullets are hollow points, which are very deadly.