Member of Parliament for Kingston East and Port Royal Phillip Paulwell has been slapped with a $45,000 fine for negligence in the loss of his firearm.

This judgement was handed down in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday after Paulwell pleaded guilty to the criminal negligence charge laid against him.

Paulwell outlined that in July, he took ill and stopped at a friend’s house in St Andrew. While at the property, it was reported that men travelling in a Toyota Probox motor car, smashed the vehicle and removed the pouch containing the firearm.

Subsequently, Mr Paulwell filed a report with the police stating that thieves broke into his vehicle and stole his firearm along with several rounds of ammunition.

An investigation followed suit and after it was concluded, a ruling was handed down by the Director of Public Prosecution Paula Llewellyn that Paulwell should be charged with criminal negligence in relation to the ordeal.