Stressing that her sentence must send a strong message to would-be illegal gun owners, Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell ordered George Biscette to part with $22 500 immediately when he appeared in the No 4 Supreme Court yesterday.
“The court’s duty and responsibility is to uphold the law and ensure that it is complied with. The dictum in [Jerome] Bovell has clearly stated there is no right to bear arms and we have all seen the loss of life that illegal firearms have caused and in this case, despite the circumstances,” she said.
“It is my duty to ensure, through sentencing, that the intention of Parliament is [carried out]. Through my sentencing the message must be sent to the public that they are not to be in possession of illegal firearms for any reason whatsoever.
“What transpired on that evening between [Biscette] and others was as a result of all of the parties being in possession of illegal firearms and would not have transpired but for them having illegal guns,” Justice Smith-Bovell noted. (HLE)
Subscribe now to our eNATION edition for the full story.
For the latest stories and breaking news updates download the Nationnews apps for iOS and Android.