The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Court Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sentenced to three years in prison yesterday after he admitted to having $40,000 worth of cocaine in his home last week as well as a loaded gun.

Kenneth Reckley, 51, represented by Ian Cargill, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt on a charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. He was also charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

On March 1 on Talbot Street, police acting on a search warrant found two kilos of cocaine worth $40,000 in Reckley’s residence. At the time of his arrest, a further search of the premises uncovered a black and rose gold Kimber 9mm pistol, with the serial number PB0227832, along with five unfired rounds of 9mm ammunition.

In court, Reckley pleaded guilty to all charges.

During Mr Cargill’s plea of mitigation on the defendant’s behalf, he implored the court to be lenient in its sentencing as his client pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

The chief magistrate then sentenced the accused to three years in prison for the drug charge. After citing the recent “proliferation” of guns on the streets, she also sentenced Reckley to two years in prison for the gun related charges, to be served concurrently to the drug charge.