By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was sentenced to 18 months in prison yesterday after admitting to having a loaded gun he claims he got from a murder victim shortly after the man was shot in 2021.
Magistrate Shaka Serville charged Andrew Stuart, 28, with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.
Stuart was arrested on February 28, 2021, after he was found with a black and tan 9mm Glock pistol and 17 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
In his latest court appearance, Stuart reversed his earlier position and pleaded guilty.
He claimed he got the gun from Anton Percentie shortly after the man was shot on February 21, 2021.
Stuart claimed he tried to assist Percentie. He said he was unable to turn the gun over to police before his arrest.
Police reports indicate that Percentie was shot by two male assailants on Finlayson Street and that he died in hospital.
Stuart asked the court to be lenient in its sentencing and spare him the customary two-year prison term for firearm offences. He said that he has two young daughters and works as a mechanic.
After saying Stuart appeared contrite and noting he had changed his plea before evidence was heard, Magistrate Serville sentenced him to 18 months in prison.
Before being taken to prison, he was allowed to interact with relatives in court.
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