A Jackson, St Michael man has been sentenced to prison for nearly two years for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, with the court warning about the growing threat of gun violence to the community.

Jasan Anderson Phillips reappeared before Justice Anthony Blackman in the No. 3A Supreme Court after previously admitting to having a .380 automatic pistol, and six rounds of ammunition on February 28, 2023.

“Guns kill, maim, terrorise and intimidate,” Justice Blackman said before giving a nine-year starting sentence. “As a sentencing court, I must address the fact that too many lethal weapons are too readily available. Too many are carried and too many are used always to devastating effect on individual victims and with insidious corrosive impact on the well being of the community.”