A High Court judge today gave notice that anyone caught supplying guns in Barbados will not be given “a slap on the wrist”.Madame Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell made the point after listening to submissions from both the prosecution and defense counsel in relation to a case involving Shad Gabriel Orlando Slocombe.Slocombe, 22, of Block 1, No. 5, Country Road High Rise Towers, St Michael, had previously pleaded guilty to having a .32 revolver and five rounds of ammunition on July 18, 2018. He also pleaded guilty to supplying the firearm and ammunition.And while she delayed sentencing Slocombe until December 2, 2022, Justice Smith-Bovell said she was treating it as a very serious offence.“Isn’t this case different from the normal, simple possession, had a gun under the bed, under the pillow case? Isn’t there evidence that this firearm was moved by him? You haven’t really addressed the issue of supply. This isn’t just firearm possession…this is where guns are moving about
Senior State Counsel Rudolph Burnett today suggested a starting point of eight years for a young man facing four firearm and ammunition-related charges.He made the submissions in relation to convicted man Shad Gabriel Orlando Slocombe who reappeared in the No. 4 Supreme Court this morning.Slocombe, of Block 1, No. 5, Country Road High Rise Towers, St Michael, had earlier pleaded guilty to having a .32 revolver and five rounds of ammunition on July 18, 2018.He also pleaded guilty to supplying the firearm and ammunition.Burnett contended that Slocombe was charged with “serious offences” and his punishment needed to reflect that.
The “five prison years” that Shad Gabriel Orlando Slocombe has so far spent on remand at Dodds is sufficient punishment for having an illegal firearm and ammunition over four years ago.That submission was put forward by Michael Lashley, King’s Counsel (KC) who today pleaded with Madame Justice Laurie-Ann to extend leniency to the convicted man.The 22-year-old Slocombe, of Block 1, No. 5, Country Road High Rise Towers, St Michael had earlier pleaded guilty to having a .32 revolver and five rounds of ammunition on July 18, 2018. He also admitted to supplying the firearm and ammunition.Lashley told the No. 4 Supreme Court that his client deserved a non-custodial sentence considering the long time spent on remand.He told Justice Smith-Bovell that the imposition of a fine was also an option.