A man who the police say was behind a series of armed robberies and rape in Havendale, in Upper St. Andrew has been sentenced to 45 years in prison.

Kemar Palmer was sentenced in the Gun Court in Kingston on Wednesday. Palmer, a resident of St. Johns Road in Spanish Town, St Catherine was linked to a criminal gang which terrorised residents of Havendale, Meadowbrook and adjoining communities in 2008. He was found guilty on several counts of rape, robbery and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was sentenced to 10 years for illegal possession of a firearm; 20 years for rape and 15 years for robbery with aggravation. Deputy Superintendent Altemorth Campbell, Crime chief for the St. Andrew North Police Division, says Palmer's conviction is welcome news for residents in his Division. He said Palmer and his cronies terrorised residents for more than a year, prompting the residents to work closely with the cops to smash the criminal network.