By Clinton McGregor
A St Andrew businessman who failed to hand over to the police a firearm he took from an armed man during a robbery at his business place, has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to illegal possession of a firearm.
Forty-nine year-old Michael Wilson was sentenced to 30 months in prison on Friday by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes in the Gun Court.
The problems facing Mr Wilson began on November 29, 2024 when gunmen attempted to rob his business establishment along Constant Spring Road in St Andrew.
Following a failed attempt, the hoodlums returned a week later, on December 6. Its reported that Mr Wilson confronted the men and managed to disarm one of them of a firearm and shot him.
Mr Wilson reported the incident to the Constant Spring Police but failed to tell them that he had the robber’s weapon.
The police say the businessman kept the weapon for two days before handing it over to them.
He was subsequently charged for illegal possession of a firearm.
His attorney, Christopher Townsend, entered into a plea bargaining arrangement with the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The DPP had recommended that he be sentenced to five years under the Firearms Act, but the Chief Justice disagreed.
Chief Justice Sykes sentenced Mr Wilson to 30 months behind bars after taking his track record into consideration.
Under the Firearms Act, persons convicted of possession of an illegal firearm face a mandatory sentence of Life Imprisonment and must serve a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.
It’s really sad to hear about the loss of those brothers. I wonder how their family is coping through such a difficult time.
It’s a heart-breaking situation, let us continue to pray for the family, it can’t be easy.