Police Constable sentenced to 20 years

Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

Detective constable Anthony Gayle who attempted to rob an off duty policewoman and a civilian of a motorcycle was today sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment.

He was found guilty of charges of illegal possession of firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, shooting with intent and attempted robbery.

Supreme Court Judge Donald McIntosh found the policeman guilty of the charges.

Justice McIntosh sentenced him to ten years' imprisonment for illegal possession of the ammunition and 20 years' imprisonment each for the other offences.

He will serve 20 years as the sentences will run at the same time.

Deputy director of public prosecutions Jeremy Taylor led evidence at the trial that in 2007, Gayle and a civilian went to St Elizabeth and attempted to rob an off duty policewoman and another civilian of a motorcycle.

Gayle fired shots at the policewoman and the civilian while they were travelling on the Ballards Valley main road.

The policewoman returned the fire and Gayle was shot.

The civilian who was travelling with Gayle ran away and is still at large.

Gayle went to the Junction police station in St Elizabeth and reported that he was shot and injured during a robbery.

The police investigated the matter and it was revealed that he was shot while attempting a robbery.

Gayle denied committing the offences.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com