(Barbados Nation) – Terry Tyrone Harper’s 59 previous convictions far outweigh his age.

And yesterday Harper, also known as “Jackie Opel” racked up his 60th conviction at the age of 49.

Harper of Lakes Folly, St Michael pleaded guilty in the No 3 Supreme Court on Thursday to having a 12-gauge signal pistol and three 12-gauge calibre signal flares on March 3, 2004.

He was represented by Mya Daniel, while Principal Crown Counsel Alliston Seale prosecuted the matter before Justice Randall Worrell.

Harper returns to court on May 14 for the findings of a pre-sentencing report and sentencing.

“Through the mercy of the court I plead guilty. I am working at changing my lifestyle. As a youngster I had it rough. When I became a man I understood what life was about,” Harper told the court.

Harper’s life of crime began in 1977 with his last conviction being recorded last year. His crimes included theft, throwing stones, burglary, unlawful beatings, loitering, wounding, robbery, assault, having offensive weapons, cocaine and cocaine apparatus.

Daniel asked that the matter be adjourned, and for a pre-sentencing report to be prepared.

Prosecutor Seale, who outlined the facts, said as a result of a tip-off, police on Cheapside, St Michael, went to the fish market where they saw and heard Harper saying: “If anybody come round me I would shoot them.”

The lawmen then picked up an object which dropped from his hand and recognised it was a gun. They also found two 12-gauge bullets in his pocket.

Harper was taken to the station where he gave a written statement explaining what happened that day.