Jeweller and pawnbroker Freeman Fordyce was yesterday dealt a four-year suspended sentence after being found guilty of the illegal possession of a pistol and ammunition.
The sentence was handed down by city magistrate Faith McGusty, who also fined Fordyce $15,000 on each of the two charges following a plea for leniency by his attorney, Nigel Hughes.
Despite being charged multiple times before, the father of seven was never previously convicted. Prior to sentencing, Hughes told the court that the firearm was not used and he also asked that his client’s previous good character be taken into account.
The charges against Fordyce were that on May 5th, 2017 at George and Princes streets, Werk-en-Rust, he had a 9 mm Smith and Wesson pistol and 15 live rounds of ammunition without being a licensed firearm holder.
According to the police’s case, ranks went to Fordyce’s business place, Umbrella Chill and Sports Bar and requested to carry out a search. During the search of Fordyce, the police said they found the loaded gun in the crotch of his pants.
