Marcus Lloyd

Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News

Marcus Lloyd

Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News

A Harrigan's Estate man was sentenced to one year in prison in connection with the discovery of a loaded 9mm handgun during a stop and search operation at the Road Town roundabout in April.

Last month Marcus Lloyd, 40, who was the occupant of the vehicle pleaded guilty to carrying an unlicensed firearm and unlawful possession of explosives [six rounds of 9mm]. This morning Lloyd who has been on remand since April of this year was sentenced by Magistrate Tamia Richards.

For the charge of unlicensed firearm he received a 12 months sentence and for unlawful possession of explosives he was sentenced to four months. The sentence will run concurrently and begins from the date of remand.

Lloyd, the owner of a construction company and father of three children was represented by Attorney At Law Anthea Smith.

At the arraignment hearing on April 11, Principal Crown Counsel Scatliffe stated that on April 7 around 3:30 pm, the men were seen driving in a cream Mitsubishi bus.

She said the bus was travelling west bound on the Sir Francis Drakes Highway at high speed. Police then give chase with lights and sirens and it was stopped at the roundabout.

Officers then approached the men and Lloyd was carrying a black bag. The men were taken into custody on suspicion of carrying illegal drugs. The bus was also taken to the Road Town Police Station. There, the bus was searched the black bag was also searched. Lloyd allegedly told Police the bag belonged to him. Officers found the handgun in the bag.

Scatliffe told the court that during a cautioned audio and video interview, Lloyd said the gun belonged to him and that he had found it. He then told Police the interview was over and he had nothing else to tell them, noting that he would tell the court where he found the gun.

The driver told Police that Lloyd asked him to pick him up at the dock in Baughers Bay and it was on his way to take him home that the Police stopped them.