Teen sentenced to three years in prison for gun, ammo possession

Kemar Franklyn wiped tears from his eyes after learning he will spend the next three years in prison for possessing a gun and ammunition without a licence.{{more}}

The 19-year-old was found guilty at the Serious Offences Court on November 5, for possession a 12 gauge shot gun and seven rounds of 12 gauge ammunition without a licence.

For the shot gun, Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias sentenced Franklyn to three years imprisonment, with a further nine months for possession of the ammunition.

The sentences will run concurrently.

According to the facts, members of the Rapid Response Unit were on patrol in the Ottley Hall area when they saw Franklyn on the public road with a plastic bag in his hand.

The officers approached him and requested a search, which turned up the seven rounds of ammunition.

Acting on information, the police officers went to Franklyn’s home and while searching in the living room, one of the officers removed a cushion from one of the couches and found the double barrel shot gun hidden under a piece of plywood.

When officers cautioned him, Franklyn said he was holding it for somebody.

In court, he denied ownership of the gun and told the court that he met it there when he was cleaning.(KW)