A man found with 32 rounds of ammunition hidden in a Thermos was sentenced to spend 12 years behind bars yesterday.

Counsel for Christopher Perinchief argued that he deserved a shorter sentence due to both his guilty plea and a sentencing discount established to help ease a backlog in the courts.

However, Puisne Judge Shade Subair Williams said she did not see any reason to depart from the 12-year mandatory minimum sentence.

“Firearm offences, or firearm-related offences, are a serious problem in Bermuda. Gun crime has, many would say, and fairly so, largely destroyed the fabric of Bermudian culture,” she said.

“Those who would seek or agree to assist others in carrying out firearm offences should be made to feel the full consequences of their actions.

“Otherwise, firearm offenders will have ease in securing assistance in furthering their own criminal activity.”

She added that she had considered that the 32-year-old had no previous offences and had been described as a loving and active father to his daughter.

“This is not the type of person you would expect to see before this court, which is perhaps the very reason he was invited to take possession of the ammunition,” she said.

“I see no reason to go below the sentence which Parliament has marked as a mandatory minimum.”

The Crown told the Supreme Court that at about 6am on February 13, 2022, police responded to a report of an incident at the Ambiance nightclub.

On their arrival, they were informed that a suspect had left the area in a white car and, after being given the licence plate for the vehicle, rode to the owner’s registered address in Smith’s.

As they approached the residence, the officers noticed a white van backing into a nearby driveway, but continued to the address, where they found a damaged white car missing its licence plate and bumper.

Officers then saw a man wearing a grey hooded top emerge from nearby bushes, who quickly fled upon seeing the police.

Following the man, they saw the white van they had seen earlier and noticed the keys were still in the ignition and there were several items inside, including a Thermos.

Police subsequently arrested Perinchief, who was found a short distance away wearing the same clothes as the man officers had seen fleeing earlier.

The officers carried out a search of the van, which Perinchief confirmed was his, and opened the Thermos, but quickly sealed it again when they saw a puff of white powder.

The Thermos was seized and, while tests revealed the white powder was not a drug, officers also discovered 32 rounds of ammunition inside.

Perinchief plead guilty to a charge of unlawfully possessing the ammunition in June.

Saul Froomkin, council for Perinchief, said that his client had made a “stupid mistake” in agreeing to hold the ammunition.

“He was doing it for a friend. There was no financial involvement,” he said. “If stupidity was a defence, he would have plead not guilty.”

Mr Froomkin said Perinchief had a clean record, was gainfully employed and was a caring and loving father actively involved in his daughter’s life.

He told the court that while there was a legislated mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years for possessing ammunition, the courts did have discretion to go lower.

Mr Froomkin noted the case of Rhea Virgil, who this week received a conditional discharge after she was found with five rounds of ammunition.

He added that his client was remorseful, but understood that he would spend time behind bars for his “poor judgment”.

Perinchief himself apologised to the courts, his family and his daughter for his actions.

•It is The Royal Gazette’s policy not to allow comments on stories regarding court cases. As we are legally liable for any slanderous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers.