Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter
A MEMBER of the notorious Gideon Warriors gang which terrorised residents of eastern St. Andrew for several years was yesterday sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment.
Kevin Tyndale, otherwise called 'Richie Pooh', 29-year-old farmer of Mount Friendship, St. Andrew, was convicted on charges of illegal possession of firearm, robbery with aggravation and wounding with intent.
Tyndale was whisked away under tight security to serve his prison sentence after Justice Donald McIntosh convicted him. He was sentenced to 30 years on each count, but the sentences are to run concurrently.
The Crown, represented by Anthony Armstrong, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, led evidence at the eighth day in camera trial in the Gun Court, that about 6:15 p.m. on January 28, 2003, a businessman went to visit a friend in Papine, St. Andrew.
SHOT BUSINESSMAN FIVE TIMES
He did not see his friend, and while leaving the house he saw Tyndale and another man coming towards him. The men were armed with guns and on Tyndale's instruction, the other man shot the businessman in the back.
Tyndale then shot the businessman five times and one of the shots caught him in the head. The businessman fell to the ground and Tyndale then robbed him of his wallet which contained money, his jewellery and his licensed firearm. The businessman was admitted to hospital for several weeks. Tyndale was subsequently pointed out at an identification parade.
The judge, in sentencing Tyndale, told him there were no mitigating circumstances in his favour and hoped that he would be rehabilitated while in prison.
Tyndale was represented by attorney-at-law Cecil J. Mitchell.
