A woman has been sentenced to serve twelve (12) months in His Majesty’s Prison for the offence of Possession of Firearm, which took place on January 11^th, 2021.

Shanika Gumbs of Webb’s Ground, Nevis, pleaded guilty to the charge on February 4^th, 2025. Her sentence was handed down on March 18^th by His Lordship, Justice Iain K. Morley, KC, at the High Court in Basseterre, St. Kitts. A police Communique said “any time spent on remand will count towards Ms. Gumbs’ overall sentence and she will be eligible for parole having served one-third of her sentence with good behaviour.”

Meantime, in a separate incident, lawmen have charged Joash Phipps of Cleverly Hill, Sandy Point, St. Kitts, but currently residing at Camps, Newcastle, Nevis, for the offences of Possession of Firearm and Possession of Ammunition. The criminal infractions were committed on Friday March 21^st at Sandy Point, St. Kitts.

The charges are from the result of a search warrant that was executed at Mr. Phipps’ former place of residence in Sandy Point by officers of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) and the St. Kitts and Nevis Customs and Excise Department.

During the search, one (1) .380 Accu-Tek pistol with five (5) .380 matching rounds of ammunition were recovered. The Police Force’s Crime Scene Unit processed the scene and collected some items of evidential value along with the illegal weapon. Mr. Phipps was arrested and charged at the Basseterre Police Station on March 21^st.