Saturday 2 July 2011

Schoolboy Error Costs Gunman 6-Year Term


Suspiciously walking through school grounds as police watched – then dumping a gun wrapped in a towel – cost this criminal his freedom after a search of his home found another firearm and 462 bullets.

Operation Trident officers – who investigate violent black-on-black crime in the capital – are celebrating taking two more lethal weapons off the streets and locking-up this gunman.

Anthony Laretive, 20, of Sunset Gardens, Croydon, received six years imprisonment at the town’s crown court after pleading guilty to the charges.

On January 18 Laretive was seen by police walking through the grounds of a Croydon primary school carrying a bag.

He was stopped by officers after he exited the school grounds by climbing over a fence, no longer with the bag.

The bag was found following a search of the grounds by a police dog and inside was a firearm wrapped in a towel.



Laretive was arrested for possession of a firearm and taken to South Norwood Police Station.

His home address was searched and in his bedroom another firearm was recovered along with 462 rounds of assorted ammunition.



Detective Constable Peter Wood said: “I am pleased with the result of our investigation.

“We will not tolerate people walking through the streets of London with guns and will thoroughly investigate anyone who is suspected to be in possession of illegally held firearms.



“Every time we recover a gun, we potentially save a life.



“I hope the sentence received by Laretive sends a strong message out to those thinking that they are above the law.”

No comments: