State prosecutor Rudolph Burnett has urged a High Court judge to send a strong message, on behalf of citizens of this country, that the wanton use of illegal firearms will no longer be tolerated.
The appeal came as the acting senior state counsel
made submissions on sentencing in which he urged Madam Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell to impose a starting sentence of eight
A Christ Church man found guilty of having sexual intercourse with an underage girl 14 years ago will learn on March 3, next year, what punishment he will face for that crime.Although he begged the court for mercy, Madam Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell made it clear that when the sentence is passed down on the convicted man, the victim who “used to call him Daddy” must feel as if justice has been served.The man, whose name is being withheld by this publication to protect the identity of the complainant, was convicted by a jury of having sexual intercourse with the then 15-year-old between April 9 and 15, 2008. He is the father of the victim’s sister.“All I am asking from the court . . . is for leniency because I have never been involved in anything like this before,” he said as he addressed the No. 4 Supreme Court.
A High Court judge lamented on Friday that the continued indiscriminate use of illegal guns has the Barbadian society “almost paralyzed with fear”, with honest law-abiding citizens afraid to leave their homes.And pointing to recent shooting incidents on the country’s streets, one of which led to the death of a bystander, Madam Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell said the possession and reckless use of firearms must be stamped out, and sentences imposed on offenders should be enough to serve as a deterrent to others.She made the comments as she addressed the No.4 Supreme Court in the sentencing of known offender Leandro Renaldo Dominic Pope, of Lower Holders Hill, St James.
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
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.