Mechanic sentenced to 24 months for gun possession, shooting at police ranks

Lloyd Gittens, a 26-year-old mechanic of Lot 140 D’Andrade Street, Kitty Georgetown was sentenced to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty to two gun-related offenses when he appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Gittens admitted to having a firearm and ammunition without being the holder of a licence and also discharging a firearm at a police officer. He pleaded not guilty to three other charges, including a separate count of discharging a loaded firearm and two counts of armed robbery.
According to the police, on October 16, 2024, officers were investigating the theft of a black and red XR motorcycle, registration number CH 6303, belonging to Omar Paris. The motorcycle had been reported stolen the previous night from Paris’ residence.
His brother, Odel Thomas, tracked the motorcycle’s location using a GPS application, which led him and police officers to a residence on D’Andrade Street, Kitty.

Upon arrival, Constable Bijadder and Odel Thomas knocked on the door of the lower flat of a two-story structure, where Gittens and his alleged accomplice, Dellon Accra, were staying. Despite several knocks, no one answered.
Officers then proceeded to the back of the house, where they observed Gittens armed with a handgun. Gittens allegedly pointed the firearm at the officers and discharged several rounds in their direction. In response, Constable Bijadder and Odel Thomas reported that they took cover, and the officer returned fire.
Gittens allegedly attempted to flee by jumping through a window but sustained injuries upon landing. During the arrest, the police recovered a firearm that had fallen from Gittens’ hands during his escape attempt. Gittens was taken into custody and escorted to Alberttown Police Station.
In addition to the October incident, Gittens faces two robberies under arms charges. The first robbery occurred on September 8, 2024, on Robb Street, Bourda in Georgetown. Gittens, along with another accomplice, is accused of robbing Josiah Holder of an 18k gold chain with a diamond pendant, valued at $500,000. According to the police report, the accused used a firearm to threaten the victim before escaping with the jewellery.
The second robbery took place on September 16, 2024, when Gittens and an accomplice allegedly approached another victim who was sitting on a motorcycle on Robb Street. Gittens, reportedly armed with a handgun, approached the victim, ripped the gold chains from his neck, and fled with the accomplice on a waiting XR motorcycle.
On October 17, the second robbery victim was able to identify Gittens from a video posted on social media. The video, captioned “Two arrested following a shootout with police in Kitty,” showed Gittens being arrested after the shootout. Upon recognising Gittens as the individual who robbed him, the victim reported it to the police, leading to additional charges against Gittens.
Gittens who was unrepresented in court admitted to Magistrate Azore that he did discharge the weapon on one officer but explained that he initially believed the person entering his home was someone attempting to kill him, as he had been receiving threats on his life. Gittens claimed that upon realising the individuals were police officers, he surrendered peacefully. Despite his explanation, the police charged him with possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence and discharging a firearm with intent. He pleaded guilty to these charges in court.
During the court proceedings, Gittens also requested to be transferred to Timehri Prison, claiming that his life was in danger at Lusignan Prison due to threats he had been receiving. He stated that there was a $5 million bounty on his head, which led him to acquire the firearm for self-defence.
Magistrate Azore sentenced Gittens to 24 months for the charges to which he pleaded guilty. He was remanded to prison for the other charges and is scheduled to return to court on November 11, for the continuation of the remaining charges.