Lawyer to argue exceptional circumstances over gun

(CNS): Seymour Ramsey pleaded guilty to possession of an unlicensed firearm on Friday, but his lawyer is hoping to fight the mandatory minimum sentence of seven years his client now faces following his admission. Giving notice to the court that there are exceptional circumstances surrounding the case, in which his client was found with a gun near Welly’s Cool in George town spot this summer. Ramsey was arrested after police stopped a vehicle in the early hours of the morning in George Town on 6 July and recovered a handgun and bullets from a man who tried to flee. There were two other men with him in the car when police pulled the vehicle over.

Police said at the time that officers had cause to stop the car in North Sound Road and, as it pulled over, a man got out and ran off. He was chased on foot by police who subsequently recovered the firearm and ammunition.

Following Ramsey’s guilty plea, the court remanded him in custody until 18 January, when the circumstances of the case and arguments regarding whether they were exceptional or not will be heard.

Anyone convicted of possession of an unlicensed working firearm after trial faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years, those who pleaded guilty face a starting point of seven unless they can demonstrated an exceptional reason why they were in possession of the weapon without a license.