An Army “poster boy” responsible for protecting the Queen was caught trying to sell hundreds of rounds of military ammunition in a police operation, a court heard.
Kirtland Gill, 41, the first black regimental sergeant major in the Coldstream Guard’s history, allegedly conspired to sell military bullets and cartridges with colleague Rajon Graham, 33.
Mr Gill, who had a “particular responsibility for protecting the Queen”, is said to have been involved in the plot to sell the deadly ammunition while serving as a technical quartermaster at Victoria Barracks in Windsor, Berkshire.
Mr Graham is not facing trial as he previously pleaded guilty to four counts of selling ammunition between December 7, 2020 and January 28, 2021.
However, Mr Gill denies conspiring to sell or transfer ammunition and possessing a prohibited weapon.
Mr Graham sold a total of 300 9mm bullets, which he described as ‘sweeties’, packed in Bacofoil bags, for £5,800 in cash during four meetings with the buyer, who was actually an undercover police officer called ‘D’. Southwark Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson said: “The Guards, of course, have a particular responsibility for protecting HM The Queen, but they are also an integral part of the British Army as a whole.
“In that regard, they of course need large amounts of ammunition for both combat and training.
“The quartermaster sergeant is responsible for supplies or stores and therefore has a role in managing the storage and distribution of ammunition.”
He said Mr Gill grew up in Jamaica and joined the army in 2001.
He added: “His promotion [made] he was the regiment’s first black sergeant major in the housekeeping department.
Speaking in 2020 about his new post, Mr Gill said: “I am honored to be given the opportunity to be the regiment’s next sergeant-major.
“It’s not something you’re given just because of who you are, it’s something you have to achieve.”
Turkish self-loading pistol found
The court heard Mr Gill was in regular phone and WhatsApp contact with Graham, who had met ‘D’, telling the undercover officer he was acting with a friend who had access to the tours, said the prosecutor.
Mr Atkinson added: “On December 7, both Gill’s and Graham’s phones were located near Gill’s address shortly before Graham took 50 rounds of ammunition to sell to ‘D’.”
“Such evidence is supplemented by surveillance taken by the police on dates when Graham and ‘D’ met, which shows contact between Graham and Gill at times relating to the transaction…
“On December 7 they were in contact by text and call before and after meeting ‘D’ and the same pattern emerges from their texts and calls on the dates when meetings with ‘D’ were arranged and when those meetings with ‘D’ then it was held.
“‘D’ was taken by Graham to Gill’s address again on January 28, 2021, after Graham had already handed over 100 rounds of live ammunition.”
“Another and direct link between Gill and Graham’s transactions is the evidence of what was found at Gill’s address on the day he was arrested, January 28.
“The fact of contact is not surprising, but it is the moment of contact.”
Bacofoil bags, along with a Turkish self-loading pistol, which Mr Gill did not have permission to own, were found at his home, as was money, including notes handed to Mr Graham by ‘D’ for 100 rounds.
Judge David Tomlinson said potential jurors who had served in the military would be excluded from service and those selected were shown a photograph of the undercover officer who will give evidence behind a screen.
Gill, who arrived in court wearing a dark pinstripe suit, white shirt and green tie, has been released on bail and the trial continues.
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