By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAN who admitted to possessing an illegal firearm during his arraignment in Magistrates Court today faces up to 10 years imprisonment on his return to court in the New Year.
Chief Magistrate Joyann-Ferguson Pratt told 21-year-old Harry Gardiner that he should be ashamed for putting his mother, who recently underwent surgery, through the ordeal of being arrested and arraigned before a criminal court.
The Ridgeland Park resident, and his 51-year-old mother, Margaret Gardiner, were both charged with a count each of possession of an unlicenced shotgun and possession of ammunition.
His mother pleaded not guilty to both charges, allegedly committed on December 29, and police prosecutor ASP Clifford Daxon withdrew the charges against her. The son, however, pleaded guilty to the crimes and a third charge of possession of ammunition.
Gardiner admitted to having custody of an unlicenced Remington shotgun, three live rounds of shotgun cartridges and three live rounds of .40mm ammunition.
The magistrate told Gardiner she would adjourn his sentencing to January 13 to allow him to be treated for the gunshot wound he received on Monday. She said she would also like to properly consider the sentence given the recent amendments made to the law by parliament which gives her a sentencing range of one to 10 years imprisonment.
See Friday’s Tribune for the full details of the proceedings.
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