Barbara Gayle, Staff ReporterFormer Jamaica Defence Force Sergeant Joseph Allen was yesterday sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for illegal possession of 457 rounds of ammunition.
Allen, 42, who joined the army in 1986 had pleaded guilty last month to the charges.
Justice Basil Reid put off sentencing until today in the Gun Court.
The facts of the case were that in September last year, the police carried out a raid at Allen's apartment on South Camp Road, Kingston. A quantity of M-16 rounds were found at his home.
The police also searched his locker at Up Park Camp and found more ammunition. He was charged with two counts of illegal possession of ammunition.
He was dismissed from the army two weeks after his arrest.
a person in authority
Justice Reid said that although Allen had pleaded guilty, he had to take into account the quantity and type of ammunition and the fact that Allen was a person in authority. The judge emphasised that the ammunition could have fallen into the wrong hands.
He was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment on count one and two years' imprisonment on count two. The sentences are to run concurrently.
