Painter charged for imitation gun

A Clarendon man now faces the possibility of 15 years imprisonment after he was allegedly found with an imitation firearm.

According to the Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Ricardo Kelly, 42, otherwise called 'Charlie', was charged for being in possession of a prohibited weapon following an incident on Bustamante Highway in the parish on Tuesday.

Kelly, a painter of Denbigh Crescent, May Pen, was reportedly among three other persons aboard a white Mitsubishi motor truck which was intercepted and searched by the police. According to the CCU, an imitation firearm resembling a 38 revolver was removed from his waistband.

He was arrested and charged.

Jamaica's new Firearms Act, which came into force last November, stipulates stiff penalties for firearm offences, ranging from a minimum of 15 years to life imprisonment.