Ricardo ‘Bully’ Thomas, was fined $1 million and given three years probation when he appeared in the Corporate Area Gun Court.

Ricardo ‘Bully’ Thomas, was fined $1 million and given three years probation when he appeared in the Corporate Area Gun Court. Bully had pleaded guilty to charges of illegal possession of two firearms and 49 rounds of ammunition. News emerged last week that before his sentencing, a senior cop gave character evidence claiming that Bully had helped the police to solve crimes and find illegal guns. The executive director of Jamaican's for Justice, Dr Carolyn Gomes, said there are clear questions that must be answered. The public is not allowed to observe the proceedings in the Gun Court. The police are raising concern that Bully's return to his community could result in more violence there. The police said Bully's gang in Cockburn Pen has been in constant war with another gang led by a man identified as 'Waldie'. According to the police, the conflict between the gangs has resulted in the murders of 60 persons in the past 18 months. Bully's case was called up seven times since he pleaded guilty, before he was finally sentenced on Wednesday.

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Jamaica’s dons represent a contradiction. Community leaders and criminals

Jamaica’s dons represent a contradiction. To be feared and respected at the same time. Community leaders and criminals. The don of Tivoli Gardens allows Passa Passa the weekly dancehall night to take place in an area often in the grip of gang warfare . One time when I was there, an army truck filled with armed soldiers passed through which was a little surreal.Now even the government are having to recognise their power. With the continued rise in the crime rate and with government policy fast running out of ideas, the Public defender Earl Witter has suggested including the dons in the consultation process to sort out what to do about it

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