Ruffian Slapped With 13 Years For Gun Possession

The music industry reacted with surprise to hear the news that Sharon “Ruffian” Peterkin had been sentenced to serve 13 years and nine months behind bars following a trial in the Gun Court Division of the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston on firearm charges.

The entertainer, who is now 59 years of age, was arrested in May 2023 and charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and unauthorised possession of ammunition after members of the Area Five Fugitive Apprehension Team, acting on intelligence, carried out a search at her Portmore, St Catherine, home.

The weapon — which had the serial number removed — was found along with a quantity of ganja during that search. Peterkin, however, was not tried for the substance, though initially charged in connection with it.

Peterkin’s licensed firearm had been seized by the Firearm Licensing Authority during a probe into another incident. He said the 9mm firearm found on the premises was similar to the firearm she had been legally issued, but for the missing serial number.

According to the investigator, Peterkin, who pleaded not guilty, gave sworn evidence in her own defence during the trial which was presided over by Supreme Court judge, Justice Calys Wiltshire.

Ruffian told investigators that she was involved in the rental car business and also sold clothing.

Daniel Gutzmore, Ruffian’s co-accused, had previously been granted bail in the sum of $300,000. He avoided prosecution as a previous judge had ruled that although the allegations against Gutzmore were serious, he was regarded as a visitor to the premises at the time of the incident.

According to police reports, at about 4:30 p.m. on May 20, 2023, a search warrant was executed on a premises in Greater Portmore, St Catherine.

During the search, the substance, two magazines with 19 rounds, and a pistol were seized. The police alleged that Peterkin declared that the Firearm Licensing Authority had taken her licensed gun and she had to protect herself. Following an investigation, they were charged.

This is not Ruffi-Ann’s first run-in with the law.

On September 3, 2016, she was first reported as missing by the Jamaica Constabulary Force website. However, it later emerged that the female entertainer was detained by United States law enforcement officials.

Ruffi-Ann claimed at the time that she was in New York for an event, and on her way to the venue, the person assigned to pick her up ran a red light and cops later discovered marijuana in the vehicle.

Ruffi-Ann said despite pleading her case that she was merely at the wrong place at the wrong time, she was detained by US law enforcement officials. She returned to Jamaica in April 2017.

Ruffian, whose real name is Sharon Peterkin, is known for songs such as Save The Juvenile, Nuh Wuk Nuh Deh, and Careless Driving.

She collaborated with late Reggae legend Bunny Wailer on Baddest in 2017.