Two men convicted of having a firearm were yesterday jailed for 12 years, with the judge describing them as “wolves in sheep’s clothing”.

Eston Joell, 47, and Lekan Scott, 27, were both found guilty of possessing a firearm and ammunition in an incident on September 1 last year.

Scott was found with the weapon, which was stashed in a paper bag with a magazine containing five rounds of ammunition. A subsequent search of Joell’s home revealed a hidden room and further rounds of ammunition.

Prosecutors alleged that Joell, who ran his own asphalt business, was the keeper of the firearm while Scott was transporting the weapon to an unidentified third party.

Cindy Clarke, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, called for both men to receive a sentence of between 14 and 16 years, noting that while Joell had an additional ammunition charge, Scott had previously been convicted of an offence involving a weapon — specifically an air rifle.

While she said the weapon in this case had not been linked to any other offences, she described it as loaded and fully operational — something defence lawyers Elizabeth Christopher and Craig Attridge disputed.

Ms Christopher, representing Joell, described the firearm as old and in a state of disrepair, stating that the grip of the weapon had been taped up and the interior parts had not been well maintained.

She also emphasised her client’s clean record, describing him as a valuable member of the community and a loving father, calling for a sentence of no more than nine years.

Meanwhile, Mr Attridge noted that there was no indication either man was involved in any gang activity and said there was a great difference between a conviction for an air rifle, for which he received 30 days in prison, and possessing a firearm.

He also said that while the magazine found with the firearm was loaded, the magazine was not in the weapon when it was found and that it was a “stretch” to suggest that this was any more than a one-off incident.

Addressing the court himself, Joell maintained his innocence but said he would work to better himself in prison and continue to help people once released.

Scott apologised to the court, the community and his family for his involvement in the offences, asking the court to show compassion.

Delivering his sentence, Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves noted the spate of firearms incidents that have marred the island since 2008, saying that the actions of people like the defendants have allowed those incidents to take place.

Noting the adage of wolves in sheep’s clothing, he said: “You two defendants remind me of that. You have been deceitful. Deceiving this community all along that you were gentle, helpful souls, bringing the faces of milk and honey while you were sewing among us the poison of your arms and your ammunition.

“You may not have been any of the actual shooters, but actions like yours are necessary for the success of such activities. There must be keepers, holders, suppliers. There must be traitors for without such, those who choose to shoot up our community could not be as successful as they have been.”

While he said the circumstances of the case made a sentence below the mandatory minimum of 12 years inappropriate, he noted the condition of the weapon and the fact that it had not been linked to any previous offences as factors in the defendant’s favour.

“In all the circumstances, this is not an appropriate case to increase the sentence substantially or at all over the minimum sentence,” he said, sentencing both men to 12 years in prison.

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