Marvin Walters of Rockhall, Castries, was fined $20 000 on Thursday after pleading guilty to unlawful firearm possession, stemming from his arrest last October on Marchand Road.
Magistrate Raquel Trotman handed down the sentence at the First District Court after taking into account Walters’ clean record, early guilty plea and claims of acting under duress.
Walters was arrested on Friday, October 4, 2024, after police discovered a loaded .380 pistol concealed in his backpack. Investigating Officer Corporal O’Reilly confirmed that Walters had no valid firearm licence. The case was formally filed in court on October 8, 2024.
Defence attorney Stephen Brette entered a guilty plea on Walters’ behalf, emphasising his client’s remorse, cooperation with authorities and lack of prior convictions. Brette urged leniency, citing Walters’ good character and the circumstances surrounding the offence.
According to a presentencing report, Walters claimed he was assisting a friend under intimidating conditions, fearing “consequences” if he refused to transport the firearm, which he said was meant for someone else.
Prosecutor Sergeant Chicot acknowledged Walters’ early plea and cooperation, confirming no aggravating factors were present. However, Chicot declined to support the intimidation claims, noting the prosecution could not verify those details.
Magistrate Trotman questioned why the alleged supplier had not been charged, demanding accountability. “I want to know why wasn’t that friend charged, prosecution? Why are we allowing them to hide? If this person is the one supplying, then he should be the one before the court also,” she said.
The prosecution cited challenges with the island’s witness protection programme as a barrier to further investigating the alleged supplier.
In her ruling, Magistrate Trotman considered the mitigating factors, including Walters’ clean record and early plea, opting against jail time.
She imposed a fine of $20 000, payable within eight months, with the first $5 000 due in three months, or a six-month prison sentence for non-payment. The penalty falls well below the maximum fine of $50 000 or 10 years’ imprisonment under Section 10 of the Firearms Amendment Act.
