The Tribune

By FARRAH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 34-year-old man who failed to renew his firearm licence was yesterday fined $1,700.

Police arrested Robert Hilton after they found an unlicensed 12-gauge shotgun with 37 live rounds of ammunition in his home on May 3.

According to the prosecution, officers also found two grams of Indian hemp in his home when they searched it that day.

The court was told that around noon, a team of officers went to Hilton’s Kennedy Subdivision residence and informed him that his home would be searched for dangerous drugs and firearms. During their investigation, officers found a clear plastic bag containing a quantity of marijuana on top of a dresser drawer in one of the bedrooms. The prosecution said a further search of a northwestern bedroom led to the discovery of a gun safe behind the bedroom door.

Upon closer inspection, the officers found a black Hatsan arms 12-gauge shotgun and a quantity of ammunition inside the safe. An expired gun licence bearing Hilton’s name was also recovered with the weapon. The accused was subsequently arrested and taken to a nearby station. During his interview with police, he denied knowledge of the drugs, but admitted failing to renew his gun licence that had expired in 2015.

Yesterday, Hilton owned up to all of the offences. His attorney, Ryszard Humes, told the magistrate his client was the father of two young children with no previous convictions. Mr Humes said Hilton licensed his shotgun in the past, but in recent times it became a “burden” as he had to choose between renewing his licence or supporting his family.

After listening to his plea in mitigation, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt fined Hilton $1,600 for the unlicensed firearm and ammunition and another $100 for the two grams of marijuana. She said if he failed to pay the fines, he would be sentenced to nine months on remand.