Possession of gun and ammo nets offender $15k in fines, while car broker is sent up to 1735 for conversion of client’s deposit

There were recent convictions in the High and Magistrates’ Courts for gun and ammunition possession and in a case of fraud involving a former police officer.

Dante Matthias of Hatton appeared before Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh on charges of possession of a firearm and possession of 13 rounds of ammunition.

He pleaded guilty to both offences and was convicted and fined $5,000 on the possession of ammunition charge and $10,000 on the charge of possession of a firearm.

These sums have to be paid within three months or, in default, Matthias will spend one year at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP).

Meanwhile, after a brief trial, a jury found Joshua Quinland guilty of fraudulent conversion in November. He was sentenced this month

by Justice Ann Marie Smith, who ordered a three-year imprisonment with a reduction in sentence for time served on remand. 

The former police officer, who is now a car broker, took money given to him to purchase a vehicle and used it for his own benefit.

Quinland reportedly was given about $7,500 as a down-payment on the purchase of a 2008 Honda Stepwagn, but the victim never received the vehicle, nor his money back.