by Sandra Downes

Ex-police officer Ashford Athelbert  “Rap Browne/Rat Browne” Jones has been found not guilty of the charge of possession of 100 rounds of ammunition on October 13, 2019, without a valid licence.

The former accused, 78, of Inch Marlow, Christ Church., denied the charge when his trial began in Supreme Court No. 2A last month.

Jones faced a judge-only trial before  Justice Elwood Watts, who determined around 11 :20 a.m. today that Jones was not guilty of the offence, based mainly on the grounds that at the time he was found with the ammunition, it would still have been in connection with practice at the shooting range, since police intercepted him and found the ammunition soon after he had left the range.

Therefore, there should have been some window of time allowed for him to return the unused ammunition, since he was a full member of a licensed shooting club, who was also preparing for an upcoming tournament in Trinidad. 

However, the judge made it clear that Jones should not have left the shooting range with the ammunition, but although he broke one of the Club’s rules by doing so, he had not broken the law. Yet, Justice Watts warned Jones that should he continue with that practice, there may very well come a time when he may not be found “not guilty.”

He further determined that the ammunition, which would have been in police custody since 2019, does not belong to the State nor Jones. Instead, it must be returned to the Rifle and Pistol Association and credited to Jones’ account.

In a brief interview after the trial, Jones said, “Justice has been served. It has been six years that I have been undergoing this. I am happy today.” 

When asked what’s next, he said, “I have to give some consideration, I haven’t really decided what the next move is yet. I will reflect on the past and make a decision later on.” (SD)

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