Rohan St Lawrence convicted for manufacturing a firearm

Rohan St Lawrence is counting his lucky stars again as he avoids jail after surviving potentially life-threatening injuries from a homemade gun. His lawyer said boredom drove him to do it.

A man has survived the injuries sustained while making a homemade gun and avoided a maximum ten year jail penalty.

The court heard Rohan St Lawrence, 38, suffered significant and life threatening injuries as a result of the homemade gun. He was hospitalised and treated in intensive care on March 2, 2021.

St Lawrence’s solicitor Jason Hatch argued that boredom had driven St Lawrence to make and store the gun on a rural property in Southgate. Mr Hatch said the gun was made without purpose.

Magistrate Kathy Crittenden expressed “it was not entirely clear” to her why St Lawrence had made the firearm. She noted that St Lawrence was unemployed at the time of the offence but has been employed for six months.

She said it was a serious offence and the court needed to send a message to the community.

Mr Hatch asked Ms Crittenden for consideration to be given to St Lawrence’s plea of guilty. He also asked for allowance for “a significant amount of leniency” as St Lawrence “expressed embarrassment and regret”.

Ms Crittenden spoke directly to St Lawrence about the risk firearms pose to the lives and safety of the community.

“The facts in this matter demonstrates the danger.

“In this case you were very seriously injured,” Ms Crittenden said.

In considering the facts she noted his plea of guilty to manufacturing a firearm without a license.

The court heard the maximum penalty is 10 years.

Ms Crittenden imposed a Community Corrections Order for 12 months under supervision at Grafton Community Corrections District Office.

The order expires on March 20, 2023.