Gareth Davis Sr, Star Writer

A Portland man, charged with illegal possession of firearm on August 30, last year, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment at hard labour, when he appeared in a Home Circuit Court in Buff Bay on Friday.

He is Kirk McKenzie, from Port Antonio in the parish. McKenzie was first arrested last year by a member of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF), Special Corporal Marcel Bryan, near the Esso Service Station in the resort town.

Inspector Lansdale Pinnock of the ISCF, who recalls the entire incident, said that on the day of the arrest, the suspect was seen walking near the service station with what appeared to be a bulge in his waist.

It is alleged that Corporal Bryan, who became suspicious, kept the man under surveillance, and accosted him shortly afterwards. During a search, a Smith and Wesson Colt .38 handgun was reportedly removed from McKenzie's waistband.

He was escorted by other police officers to the ISCF local office, where he was arrested and charged in connection with the gun seizure.