JUNE 2009

We prepare a monthly summary of gun incidents, focussing on those that raise key issues about the nature of gun crime and the adequacy of gun legislation.  Items that have been amended or added to the list since the Summary was written are marked (*).

 

ENGLAND

Luton Today, 30 June 2009 *

Police discovered two handguns and an air rifle in Luton, Bedfordshire, during a crackdown on gun crime.  The weapons were found at separate locations.

Lancashire Evening Post, 30 June 2009 *

A man armed with what is thought to have been an air rifle and a knife stole money from a store in Preston, Lancashire.  He threatened to shoot at members of the public who were at the scene.  The shopkeeper was hurt after grappling with the man.  A man has been convicted of robbery and possession of an imitation firearm and a knife and jailed for seven years (see January 2010 Incidents).

BBC, 30 June 2009 *

A shopkeeper in Leicester was threatened with what was thought to be a gun during a robbery by two youths.  His watch was stolen.  Three men have been charged with robbery and possession of a firearm (BBC, 2 July 2009).

BBC, 30 June 2009 *

Four people, three men and a woman, were arrested on suspicion of drugs and firearms offences after raids in Cambridgeshire.  The arrests were made at properties in Buckden, Eaton Socon and Histon.  One man from Buckden has been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon (BBC, 1 July 2009).

Chester Chronicle, 29 June 2009 *

Gareth Williams has admitted 15 charges including robbery and possession of a firearm at a bookmakers in Hoole, Cheshire, and at an off licence in Ormskirk, Lancashire, both in March 2009 (see Incidents).  He has been given an indefinite jail term and will serve a minimum of four-and-a-half years before he can be considered for parole (BBC, 3 July 2009).

Southend Standard, 28 June 2009

Five people have been arrested by armed police after a spate of BB gun attacks which took place in Southend and Leigh-on-Sea in Essex.  A man was shot in the face in Leigh and two teenagers were robbed of their mobile phones after occupants of a car threatened them with a gun.  A cyclist was left unharmed after being threatened in Southend and another two teenagers were threatened with a handgun in Southend.  Those arrested include two teenage females and two teenage males.

BBC, 28 June 2009

A man was shot in the leg after an argument with three men on mountain bikes in Gorton, Greater Manchester.  One of the gang produced a shotgun and fired at the victim.

BBC, 28 June 2009 *

A man's body was discovered in woodland in Winkfield, Berkshire.  The police have said it appeared he died from gunshot wounds.  There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.  The man's family had been concerned about him since he recently vanished from his home with one of his registered shotguns (Mail, 28 June 2009).  An inquest has concluded that he had taken his own life (Evening Standard, 11 November 2009).

The Press, 27 June 2009

Gary Bridge, a former prison officer from Ripley Castle, North Yorkshire, has pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning an ex-prisoner whom he got to know in prison, threatening to kill her, affray and three charges of actual bodily harm.  Two charges of raping the woman were left on the file.  Among incidents which took place over a number of years he held an air rifle to her face and threatened to kill her while her daughter watched.  He committed the offences while suffering from two mental illnesses.  He was given a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Guardian, 27 June 2009 *

A man armed with two pistols chased another man into a crowded restaurant in St John's Wood, north west London.  The gunman opened fire on his victim, shooting him in the leg.  A second victim, a teenage boy, was also injured (BBC, 27 June 2009).  Police have now said that a second man was shooting at the man from outside the restaurant (BBC, 3 July 2009).

BBC, 27 June 2009 *

Two men, one a teenager, have appeared in court facing charges of armed robbery and possession of a firearm following an alleged robbery at a bookmakers in Kingsbury, north west London.  Shots had been fired during a chase before the men were arrested (BBC, 26 June 2009).  One of the men had threatened staff with an imitation gun.  The men have pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a firearm and been jailed for six and three years (see October 2009 Incidents).

Bolton News, 26 June 2009

A number of guns were stolen from a gun cabinet during a burglary in Little Lever, Bolton.  The weapons were a Sako rifle, a CZ-22 rifle, a Beretta 20 bore shotgun and an Aya 12 bore shotgun.

BBC, 26 June 2009 *

Andrew Denty has been found guilty of murdering a man outside a nightclub in Limehouse, east London, in July 2008 (see Incidents).  He had become resentful of his brother's increasing dependence on the victim.  His cousin Emmanuel Okot has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.  Denty was given a life sentence and must serve at least 35 years.  Okot received a three year term for hiding the gun (BBC, 17 July 2009).

Norwich Evening News, 25 June 2009

Daniel Graver bought a stun gun from an online auction site and kept it at his home in Norwich.  He had earlier admitted possessing a weapon, heroin and cocaine and receiving stolen goods.  He was given an 80-day jail sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Lutterworth Mail, 25 June 2009

An air rifle was stolen from a car parked outside a pub in Dunton Bassett, Leicestershire.

Haverhill Echo, 25 June 2009

Matthew Stiebrins was seen pointing a .22 air rifle at houses in an open air car park in Haverhill, Suffolk.  He was quite drunk and told police he was test firing the rifle into a tree.  He has been warned he could face jail sentence.

Evening Chronicle, 25 June 2009

A man was caught with a kitchen knife and a gun after he was seen abusing a newsvendor in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne.  The gun was a ball-bearing gun which was unloaded, but George Halliday had ammunition in his possession.  Halliday pleaded guilty to possessing the weapons during the incident in April 2009.  He was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and an electronic tag curfew.

BBC, 25 June 2009

Two men threatened a car driver with a sawn-off shotgun and stole a holdall of cash the victim had just collected from a bank in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.

Teletext, 24 June 2009

A teenage woman was awaiting surgery to have a pellet from an airgun or a small bullet removed after she was shot while attending a party in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.  Her injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Northern Echo, 24 June 2009

A shopkeeper from Willington, County Durham, kept an electronic stun gun behind his counter allegedly to defend himself from thieving drug addicts.  Amardeep Singh Maan was given a one-year suspended sentence and a 28-day curfew order.  The gun was confiscated and destroyed.

East Anglian Daily Times, 24 June 2009

An angler who was fishing at night in Fornham St Martin, Suffolk, with a friend was approached by a cyclist dressed in camouflage who then shot him on the back of the thigh with an air rifle before riding off.  It is thought that the gunman may have been out hunting rabbits in the area.

Cambridge News, 24 June 2009

Aaron Duffy was found with a dismantled sawn-off shotgun and ammunition in a rucksack at his home in Cambridge.  The shotgun had been taken from a property in Lode in February 2009.  Police also found stolen goods relating to another burglary.  He has been jailed for two years after pleading guilty to possessing a sawn-off shotgun, ammunition for a firearm without a certificate and handling stolen items.

The Sentinel, 23 June 2009

Two police officers have been commended for disarming a youth who was taking pot shots at passing vehicles with an air rifle in Market Drayton, Shropshire.  The incident took place in May 2008.

Lincolnshire Free Press, 23 June 2009

Dean Tidswell admitted keeping a banned firearm and ammunition at his home in Spalding, Lincolnshire.  Police found a converted air rifle hidden in an outbuilding.  The rifle contained a .22 cartridge containing a hollow point bullet.  He obtained the gun eight or ten years ago from a car boot sale.  Tidswell admitted possessing a prohibited firearm and ammunition and was given a suspended 51 week prison sentence and ordered to carry out 150 hours of community punishment.

Lancashire Telegraph, 23 June 2009

An 11-year-old boy may have suffered permanent eye damage, his family fear, after he was shot at point-blank range with a ball bearing gun.  He was playing with a friend in a flat in Darwen, Lancashire, when the incident happened.  The gun had only been bought by the father of the other boy the previous day.  The police are investigating the incident.

Worcester News, 22 June 2009

A man has been arrested and another suspect hunted after two men armed with a shotgun and a revolver robbed a pub in Warndon Villages, Worcester.

This is Wiltshire, 22 June 2009 *

Daniel Garfield, 19, has admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.  In May 2009 (see Incidents) he brandished a .177 calibre air pistol when he tried to hold up a convenience store in Staverton, Wiltshire, while he was drunk.  Garfield has been jailed for 18 months (This is Wiltshire, 27 July 2009).

Stroud News & Journal, 22 June 2009

Police have warned young people and parents to be aware of the dangers of BB guns and air pistols after a member of the public reported that he had been hit by an airgun pellet whilst walking in woods in Stroud, Gloucestershire.

Messenger, 22 June 2009

Two men threatened a woman with a sawn-off shotgun and a hammer before stealing her car.  The victim had come to a stop in Hale, Cheshire, when she was confronted by the men.  She was knocked to the floor as they rushed to get into the car.

BBC, 22 June 2009

A man was taken to hospital after he was accidentally shot while hunting rabbits in Lower Lyde, Herefordshire.  He was being passed a shotgun through a hedge when it went off.  His injuries are believed to be life-threatening.

BBC, 20 June 2009

A 19-year-old requires surgery to have a bullet removed after he was shot in the stomach in Fallowfield, Manchester.  The victim was described as being in a stable condition.

Yorkshire Evening Post, 19 June 2009

A man burst into a bakery in Leeds and threatened staff with a handgun before fleeing with cash from the till.

This is Surrey Today, 18 June 2009 *

A 17-year-old from Earlswood, Surrey, who fired an air rifle out of his window could face custody after breaching his ASBO for the sixth time.  A neighbour heard a twanging noise and when police investigated they found four teenagers, including Dean Turner, in a bedroom and an air rifle was found in Turner's room.  He claimed the gun was empty and he had been firing it at the window instead of out of the window.  He was found guilty of breaching his ASBO and was sentenced to two months detention in a Young Offenders Institute (Redhill, Reigate, Horley Life, 8 July 2009).

The Gazette (Blackpool), 18 June 2009

A 16-year-old has appeared before a youth court in Fleetwood, Lancashire, accused of using an imitation firearm to stage a robbery.  The offences are alleged to have taken place in April 2009.

BBC, 18 June 2009

Daniel Dodsworth fired air rifle pellets into the wall, floor and sofa of the home he shares with his girlfriend and daughter in Darlington, County Durham.  He had drunk eight cans of lager and a bottle of wine before firing the weapon in March 2009.  He admitted affray and was given a nine-month suspended sentence.

BBC, 18 June 2009

Six people, four men and two women, have been arrested following reports of a gunshot and loud noises coming from a property in Norwich.

BBC, 18 June 2009

A firefighter attending a suspected arson attack at a scrapyard in Chadderton, Greater Manchester, had to dive out of the way after a gang shot him with an air rifle.  He saw a boy pointing the gun at him and threw himself out of the way as the pellet flew past and embedded itself in a nearby car.

Wisbech Standard, 17 June 2009

Three men were in custody on suspicion of firearms offences after a police officer was threatened with a handgun in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.  Two officers had approached the men and were dealing with the incident when one of the men threatened an officer with a gun.  A man has been charged with possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, having an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and making threats to kill.  Two other men have been released with no further action (Evening Telegraph (Peterborough), 18 June 2009).

Teletext, 17 June 2009

An armed robber threatened staff at a betting shop in Leeds with a black pistol-type weapon.  He stole money and escaped.

Northern Echo, 17 June 2009 *

Four people, two men and two women, have been arrested after a woman was assaulted and a man was shot with a shotgun in two separate incidents in South Moor, County Durham.  The man underwent an operation to remove pellets and his condition was described as 'not serious'.  The police have said he will be arrested on his discharge.  A number of legitimately held shotguns were seized from one house.  Three people, two men and a woman, have been charged with conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning actual bodily harm and the two men face further charges of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life (BBC, 19 June 2009).  A man who has admitted possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and intending to causing grievous bodily harm has been jailed for nine-and-a-half years.  A second man has admitted violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon, a machete, in public (see January 2010 Incidents).

Independent, 17 June 2009

Matthew Wells, an army colour sergeant, has been jailed for six years after he terrified another soldier with a loaded AK-47 assault rifle that he fired during a struggle to disarm him.  The incident took place in Gibraltar Barracks in Camberley, Surrey, in November 2008 (see Incidents).  Wells had admitted possessing the firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Gazette, 17 June 2009

Ashley Gray, 19, has been sent to a young offenders' institution for nine months after admitting charges of actual bodily harm and possessing a firearm with the threat to cause violence and criminal damage.  He had recently required an airgun in exchange for an ornamental samurai sword and shot it several times whilst showing it to another teenager in Colchester, Essex.  He then shot at his companion's moped and then at a group of his friends.  One boy was shot in the shoulder as he was riding past on his moped.

BBC, 17 June 2009

A Taser stun gun was recovered by police during a week-long operation by Derbyshire Police in which 42 properties were raided and 28 people were arrested over drug offences.

Richmond & Twickenham Times, 16 June 2009 *

A man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life following reports of a pair of men firing shots outside a bar in Chiswick, west London.  A went to hospital with a gunshot wound to his forearm.  He was later discharged.

Maidenhead Advertiser, 16 June 2009

An 18-year-old and a 16-year-old have been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm after an incident in Shurlock Row, Berkshire.  Police were called following a report that shots had been fired from a pellet gun by occupants of a passing car.  They believe that the shots were fired from an air rifle or BB gun.

Fleetwood Weekly News, 16 June 2009

A man is in custody after a gun and stolen goods were found by police officers in central Manchester.  The find follows a robbery by a man armed with a gun on four boys in Whalley Range.  The man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of an imitation firearm, believed to be a ball-bearing gun.

Gazette & Herald, 16 June 2009

Armed police were called to a street in Chippenham, Wiltshire, after a teenage boy was seen walking around with a loaded air rifle.  A 17-year-old was arrested and charged with possessing an imitation firearm and having a loaded air weapon in a public place.

Enfield Independent, 16 June 2009

A 12-year-old boy who fired pellets from a BB gun in school toilets in Enfield, north London, spent a day in a police cell after police were called.  He was given a reprimand and his details have been referred to the Youth Offending Team.  His mother, who defended his actions, claims he has now been permanently excluded from the school but the headteacher did not confirm this.

BBC, 16 June 2009 *

A shotgun, ammunition and drugs were recovered during a police raid on a flat in Middlesbrough.  A man was arrested and bailed and a woman was charged with possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.  A man and a woman have pleaded guilty to drugs charges and the man has admitted possessing a shotgun without a licence (see November 2009 Incidents).

BBC, 16 June 2009

Two men were injured in a shooting incident in Aston, Birmingham.  Neither man's condition was life-threatening, according to police.

BBC, 16 June 2009

Elroy Otway has been sentenced to life in jail after being found guilty of the murder of a man who was shot in Wythenshawe, Manchester, in August 2006 (see Incidents).

Evening Courier, 15 June 2009

A man caught with a sawn-off shotgun and cartridges hidden in a paper bag at his car repair workshop in Halifax, West Yorkshire, has admitted possessing a firearm and been jailed for five years.  Police raided the unit where Robert Anderson worked in April 2008.  He claimed to have found the gun five days earlier when his dog had chased two men along a track by the workshop.

Berrow's Worcester Journal, 15 June 2009

A man has been charged with possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence after allegedly brandishing a shotgun on farmland at Great Witley, Worcestershire.

BBC, 15 June 2009

A shop assistant was hit with the butt of a gun by a robber at a store in Preston, Lancashire.  The robber was carrying a rifle, which the assistant grabbed, and the barrel broke.  Three men were later arrested.

Manchester Evening News, 13 June 2009 *

A number of men have received sentences for related firearms offences.  Gavin Donald from Leeds was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.  Aaron Rouse from Stretford was jailed for eight years after admitting the same offences.  The two men had put two others from London, Jonathan Martins and Sahr Sundu, in touch with Marlon Small as a potential buyer of a re-bored Arminius revolver.  Martins and Sahr were arrested on their way to Small's house in Leeds.  Sahr was sentenced to five years after admitting possession of a firearm, Martins admitted two counts of possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and dangerous driving and was sentenced to five years in prison.  In a second case, police stopped a convoy of men in cars on the A56 between Huddersfield and Manchester after a tip off about another gun which Donald and Rose were helping Small to buy.  Small admitted two counts of possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and driving while disqualified and given nine-and-a-half years in prison.  Rainny Pemagbi, 18, from London was found guilty of conspiracy to possess a firearm and sentenced to three years in a young offenders' institute, Levon Halliday from Leeds and Gavin Dennis from Huddersfield each admitted possession of a firearm and were both sentenced to four years in prison, and Shoukat Ali of Leeds and Remy Parker, 18, of Stretford were both found guilty of conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition.  Ali was given a five year sentence, Parker will be sentenced later this month.  Small and Donald have had their sentences cut to eight years on appeal (Yorkshire Evening Post, 15 December 2009).

Southport Visiter, 12 June 2009

A man shot out the windows of a woman's car in Southport, Merseyside, with an air rifle.  The rear and side windows were all smashed during the incident.  A man was seen brandishing a weapon and was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and criminal damage to a car.

Hartlepool Mail, 12 June 2009

A man from Hartlepool accused of possessing a stun gun and possessing cannabis on a date in May 2009 has had his case adjourned for two weeks.

BBC, 12 June 2009

Following a series of raids in London as part of Operation Blunt Two a total of 259 people were arrested and 83 charges.  Five firearms were seized in the raids which were targeting suspected youth gang members.

Worcester News, 11 June 2009

David Comerford from Edgbaston, Birmingham, has pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply others and also to the possession of a prohibited weapon, a stun gun, which was found at his home.  He was arrested during a police raid in Worcester.  He has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

The Star, 11 June 2009

Steven Summerfield from Littledale, Sheffield, threatened to kill a female friend's black boyfriend and sent her abusive texts.  He then shot at her upstairs window whilst "somewhat the worse for drink" but aware that she and her partner were in at the time.  After the incident he was seen "walking away laughing, carrying a gun in his right hand".  It happened while the Summerfield was on bail following the discovery of air rifles in his car which were more powerful than the legal limit and which he claimed he had bought at a car boot sale.  The weapon he used to shoot at the victim's house has not been recovered.  He pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment and offences under the Firearms Act and was jailed for three years and eight months.

BBC, 11 June 2009

A man who ran an illegal ammunition factory in his house in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, has admitted four charges including manufacturing ammunition.  It was said that Christopher Pearson had "a chilling obsession with ammunition".  He had a storage facility in Todmorden, West Yorkshire.  He has been jailed for three years.

Telegraph, 10 June 2009

Stuart Harris was arrested following an armed police hunt after he was seen waving a BB gun around a filling station in Minster, Kent, whilst he was on his way to a Godfather fancy dress party.  He was released after accepting a caution for possessing an imitation firearm in a public place.

Milton Keynes Citizen, 10 June 2009

Luke Chaplin has been found guilty of armed robbery and sentenced to 10 years.  In October 2008 he went into a bookmakers in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, threatened staff with a gun and forced them to hand over a bag containing about £1500 cash.

This is Wiltshire, 9 June 2009

Police are warning people of the laws concerning firearms after a number of shots were heard being fired in the Wellhead Drove area of Westbury, Wiltshire.  It appears that air weapons are being used in the area.

Daily Mirror, 9 June 2009

There were more than 100 arrests after violence erupted at the horse fair in Appleby, Cumbria.  As well as drugs and whips, 127 ball bearing guns were seized.

BBC, 9 June 2009 *

A man took a police van at gunpoint from two officers in Peterborough.  He drove the van away before hijacking another car at gunpoint.  The van was found abandoned.  The driver of the second vehicle was unharmed.  A man was arrested at a house in Haverhill, Suffolk, the next day.  Robert Inman has admitted eight offences and been given a 14 year jail sentence (see December 2009 Incidents).

Wilts & Gloucestershire Standard, 8 June 2009

A man who attempted to break into a shop in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, was disturbed by a resident.  It is believed the offender was carrying a gun.  A police helicopter was called but could not find him.

Swindon Advertiser, 8 June 2009

A police helicopter was scrambled after residents in Old Town, Swindon, reported they were being shot at by two young men with a handgun.  No weapon was recovered but from a description given by one woman it appears to have been an imitation gun.

Epping Forest, Waltham Forest, Wanstead & Woodford Guardian, 8 June 2009

A man was robbed at gunpoint in his home in Walthamstow, north east London.  The robbers punched him in the face and one of them put what the victim believes was a handgun to his head while they stole cash and a mobile phone.

BBC, 8 June 2009

A shotgun was fired at an empty wedding car outside a hotel in Skipton, North Yorkshire.  Two men pulled up in a car which sped off after the gun was fired.

BBC, 8 June 2009

A man whose air rifle was used to shoot his toddler son dead when it was left unattended in his garden in Washwood Heath, Birmingham, in August 2008 (see Incidents) has been given a conditional discharge after he pleaded guilty to causing the death of his son.  Bakht Zaman had been firing the gun at empty cans but when he went to answer a telephone call the weapon, which had been left with its safety catch off, was fired by another child.

Sunday Mercury, 7 June 2009

Brad Cartlidge shot up his own house in Walsall, West Midlands, in a drunken rage.  When his wife returned home and found their home wrecked she rang the fire brigade who discovered bullet holes in doors and walls and guns and ammunition in the spare bedroom.  Cartlidge, believed to be a collector of antique firearms, is now awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to nine counts of possessing firearms and ammunition without a licence.  The weapons, which were mostly antique guns, included a Belgian revolver, a pump action shotgun and a Western and Harrington revolver.

Oxford Mail, 6 June 2009 *

Jon Shirley carried out three armed robberies in six days in February 2009 (see Incidents) in the Oxford area, at a home in Beckley, a petrol station in Marston and a store in Wheatley.  He threatened his victims with an imitation firearm and injured three of his four victims.  In the first attack he was accompanied by another man.  He has been given a six-and-a-half year jail sentence.  Prosecutors have applied for his sentence to be increased and he will now serve nine years (BBC, 12 December 2009).

Liverpool Echo, 6 June 2009 *

A man was shot in what police described as a targeted attack at a pub in Croxteth, Liverpool.  He was taken to hospital where his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.  Three teenagers were arrested after the attack.  The arrests were made after officers raided two houses in Croxteth and found ammunition (BBC, 7 June 2009).  A 15-year-old has appeared in court accused of attempted kidnapping (BBC, 8 June 2009).  The victim was apparently hit at point blank range with a shotgun (Liverpool Echo, 12 June 2009).  Two teenagers have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm and been given custodial sentences (see November 2009 Incidents).

Stourbridge News, 5 June 2009

Dean Raybould was caught wearing camouflage clothing and crouched down in a firing position while pointing an unloaded air rifle at a pub in Merry Hill, Wolverhampton.  He admitted affray and was given a six month jail term suspended for 18 months.  He had been drinking heavily at the time of the incident but was apparently intending to go rabbit hunting.  He claimed "We were only having a laugh".

Mirfield Reporter, 5 June 2009

An 11-year-old boy brought two ball-bearing guns into a school in Mirfield, West Yorkshire.  A parent has called into question the limited action of the headteacher who took the boy out of the class when police arrived and spent the rest of the day with the headteacher.

Hucknall Dispatch, 5 June 2009

Two members of Hucknall Cricket Club in Nottinghamshire were fielding when they were fired at by teenagers with a BB gun.  One youngster was seen on the field of play openly displaying a gun.

Evening Chronicle, 5 June 2009

Dean Hall pointed a silver ball-bearing gun at the head of a man during a raid on a bookmakers in Wrekenton, Tyneside.  He demanded cash and fled after the manageress handed him money.  He admitted robbery and possessing an imitation firearm with intent and was jailed for five years.

Bedford Today, 5 June 2009

Police in Luton, Bedfordshire, have arrested four people including two teenagers one of them female, on suspicion of possessing a firearm.  A handgun, ammunition and cannabis were recovered in a raid at an address in the town.

BBC, 5 June 2009

Two men have been given life sentences over the fatal shooting of a man in Streatham, south London, in October 2007 (see Incidents).  Junior Cameron was found guilty of murder and jailed for a minimum of 26 years and Darrell Albert was convicted of attempted murder and must serve at least 13 years in prison.  Both men were also given life terms for gun possession.

BBC, 5 June 2009

A man was shot dead as he left a flat in Fulham, west London.  Police are investigating whether the shooting is linked to the fatal shooting outside Wandsworth Prison in May 2009 (see Incidents).  Three men have been arrested over the shooting (BBC, 14 June 2009).

Swindon Advertiser, 4 June 2009

Thomas Cowley from Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, has been remanded in custody after a community order became unworkable. He had been put on a community order with a mental health requirement in September 2008 after he admitted four counts of making an explosive substance and one of possession.  He said he started making explosives to give his airgun more thrust.

News & Crier, 4 June 2009

Stephen Peacock threatened a teenage brother and sister with a loaded air pistol after they "did his head in".  The incident took place at the bus station in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, in September 2008.  Police found the .177 pistol under a vehicle in a pub car park.  Peacock admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to endanger life.  He was given an Asbo and a 28 week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months and was put under supervision for 18 months.

BBC, 4 June 2009

Following raids in Leeds 35 people have been charged with offences including firearms offences.  A gun was among the items recovered in the raids which was aimed a cracking down on burglars.

BBC, 4 June 2009

A man threatened to shoot a female police officer during a confrontation at a house in Werneth, Greater Manchester.  After the officer had detained one man, his accomplice held up an unknown object.  Five minutes later four men tried to force a motorist to stop on a nearby street.

This is Gloucestershire, 3 June 2009 *

Police executing a search warrant found a prohibited .44 magnum handgun and 55 rounds of ammunition at the home of Neil McLellan in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, in October 2008.  He claimed they were shipped with his belongings by mistake after he returned from the USA and he had never got around to handing them in.  He had not told the police for fear of being prosecuted and considered disposing of the weapon but was afraid it might fall into criminal hands.  The minimum prison term for anyone caught in possession of a prohibited firearm is five years, but the judge said he would not impose a prison sentence and gave McLellan a £7500 fine, saying that he had made a "foolish decision".  It has since emerged that McLellan lied about his job during the trial and his sentence has been rescinded by the judge.  He has now been jailed for two years for possessing a firearm and a further year for possessing expanding ammunition (Telegraph, 17 December 2009).

Stroud News & Journal, 3 June 2009

A group were using the village hall in Paganhill, Stroud in Gloucestershire, when an airgun pellet was shot at one of the windows smashing the outer pane.  This was the latest incidence of vandalism at the hall.

Hemsworth & South Elmsall Express, 3 June 2009 *

Four men accused of trying to kill a man in South Kirkby, West Yorkshire, in November 2008 (see Incidents) have been found not guilty of attempted murder.  Two of the accused, Stephen Lakin and David Magee, were found guilty of possession of a shotgun with intent to cause fear of violence respectively towards the victim's girlfriend and towards another man.  Lakin, Magee and Sam Whitehead, 18 were found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.  The fourth man accused was found to be innocent.  A fifth man was found guilty of perverting the course of justice.  The men will be sentenced at a later date.  Whitehead has failed in an appeal against his conviction (Hemsworth & South Elmsall Express, 9 December 2009).

Evening Chronicle, 3 June 2009

A mum is living in fear after a BB gun was fired at a window of her home in Consett, County Durham.  The pellet smashed a back window and is also believed to have smashed through to the front window.

BBC, 3 June 2009

An AK47 rifle and ammunition have been seized by police when they called at an empty property in Whalley Range, Greater Manchester.

This is Derbyshire, 2 June 2009

Christopher Anderson fired shots from a revolver in a residential street in Normanton, Derby, in November 2008 (see Incidents) moments after his friend was attacked by a group of men.  He has been jailed for seven years after admitting possessing a prohibited firearm and ammunition and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.  Last month he was found not guilty of the more serious charge of intending to kill or serious injure someone.

Harrow Times, 2 June 2009

A man accused of threatening an escort with a plastic handgun has been found not guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear.  Police raided the man's flat in Pinner, north west London, when the escort reported the defendant had threatened her with what she thought was a real gun.  The man still faces another charge of affray.

Coventry Telegraph, 2 June 2009

A man has been charged with possession of an air weapon with intent, attempted wounding, violent disorder, production of cannabis and possession of prohibited ammunition following an altercation in a supermarket car park in Rugby.  Three men and a woman were also arrested on suspicion of assault and drug offences.

Chad (Mansfield), 2 June 2009 *

Stephen Marriot from Sutton, Nottinghamshire, has pleaded guilty to having an air rifle with intent to cause a man to believe violence would be used against another man at his workplace.  The incident, which involved his sister's ex-boyfriend, took place in March 2009.  He was given a 45 week jail term, suspended for 18 months and 160 hours unpaid community work (Chad (Mansfield), 29 June 2009).

BBC, 2 June 2009

Kaupo Muminov has been sentenced to six years for robbery and nine years for possessing an imitation firearm to run concurrently.  He was one of three men armed with a gun and hammers who stole £85,000 worth of watches in a raid on a jewellers in Birmingham in November 2008.

BBC, 2 June 2009

Five men who forced their way into a house in Hilton, Shropshire, fired a gun and struck a man on the head.  They demanded they hand over car keys but left empty-handed.  The shot that was fired hit furniture, but no one was seriously hurt, according to police.  The gun is believed to have been a shotgun (BBC, 3 June 2009).

Batley & Birstall News, 2 June 2009

Police carrying out a drugs raid in Healey, West Yorkshire, also seized a ball-bearing gun.

Derby Evening Telegraph, 1 June 2009

Two teenagers were struck with suspected airgun pellets in separate incidents as they walked along the same street in Derby.  Police said that the two incidents were being linked.  In the first a 14-year-old boy was hit in the chest, in the second a 16-year-old was hit in the foot.

BBC, 1 June 2009

Police sealed off a road in Lozells, Birmingham, after reports of shots being fired.  There were no reports of any injuries.

 

We are grateful to two correspondents for alerting us to this incident

BBC, 1 June 2009

Two men armed with a black handgun carried out two robberies in Chorlton, Greater Manchester, within minutes.  Their first victim had the gun pointed at his head as he used a cash machine and when he refused to draw out cash for them they stole his gold necklace.  Ten minutes later the men threatened another man in his car and told him and two passengers to get out before stealing a mobile phone and fleeing.

BBC, 1 June 2009

A boy was shot at whilst he was playing in his garden in Harnham, Salisbury.  An older boy pointed a BB gun at him and fired, narrowly missing his face.  The pellet hit the house behind him.

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SCOTLAND

BBC, 27 June 2009

A young woman and a teenage boy were shot during an incident in the Tollcross area of Glasgow.  Police said the incident involved six to eight males.  The two victims were taken to hospital.  The woman was later discharged and the teenager's condition was described as "stable".

Evening Times, 25 June 2009 *

Atif Iqbal, 17, has admitted, while acting with others, assaulting a shopkeeper by presenting a firearm at him, demanding money from him, striking him on the head with a firearm and robbing him.  Iqbal was one of three men who robbed a store in Shawlands in February 2009 (see Incidents).  He has been sentenced to two years' detention.  Fahim Iqbal, 18, who also admitted taking part in the assault and robbery was detained for 32 months. Another man who masterminded the raid is in prison for an unrelated offence (Evening Times, 13 October 2009).

Press Association, 24 June 2009

A man was shot as he returned home from walking his dog in Edinburgh.  He was taken to hospital after managing to raise the alarm himself.  The victim is not believed to be suffering from life-threatening injuries.  The victim was in his garden when he was shot in the groin with a shotgun (Scotsman, 25 June 2009).

Evening Express, 22 June 2009

A golfer was shot with an air rifle on a course in Aberdeen.  The pellet caused bruising to the victim's leg.

BBC, 20 June 2009 *

A man armed with what appeared to be a firearm threatened staff at a fast food restaurant in Paisley.  He made off with a four-figure sum of cash.  No members of staff were injured.  A man has been jailed for four years for this and a repeat robbery in July 2009, in both incidents he was armed with a replica revolver (see December 2009 Incidents).

Hamilton Advertiser, 18 June 2009

An angler needed hospital treatment after he was hit in the head by a pellet fired from an air weapon in Bellshill, Lanarkshire.  He was fishing with friends who were forced to dive for cover during the incident.  Two men will be subject to a report to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with the incident.

Evening Express, 17 June 2009

A ball-bearing gun was used to shoot out three windows at a primary school in Aberdeen.  Nearly £1000 of damage was caused.

BBC, 13 June 2009

A member of the public who heard a commotion was shot at as a man was forced from his home in High Blantyre, Lanarkshire and driven away.  The man was later released unharmed in the Lenzie area.  Police are treating the incident as abduction and attempted murder.

Irvine Herald, 12 June 2009

A house in Broomlands, Ayrshire, was stormed by police after reports that shots had been fired from a window.  A man was arrested and an air rifle allegedly recovered from the scene.

BBC, 11 June 2009

Two men threatened two security guards with what appeared to be a firearm outside a bank in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire.  The staff handed over a five-figure sum of cash.  No-one was injured but the guards were "extremely shaken".

BBC, 10 June 2009 *

Simon Ross from Duns, Berwickshire, has admitted contravening the firearms act.  He ordered a stun gun and pepper spray from Germany via the internet.  The items were found when customs officers at Birmingham Airport checked a parcel.  He was fined £1000 (BBC, 8 July 2009).

Scotsman, 9 June 2009

A man who armed himself with a Beretta handgun and 28 rounds of ammunition during a feud with a "criminal" family has been jailed for five years and three months.  A shotgun had been fired through the home of Steven Hewitt's brother.  The police were tipped off after Hewitt of Sandyhills, Glasgow, acquired the gun which was recovered from a hiding place in a wheelie bin in May 2008.

BBC, 9 June 2009

Kaz Macdonald, 20, claimed to police that he ordered three 10,000 volt stun guns from the US to use them as "ornaments".  A package addressed to Macdonald's address in Edinburgh was intercepted at a postal depot in London.  He pleaded guilty to buying the prohibited weapons and was ordered to serve 150 days of an unexpired sentence and had another 32 months added.

Stirling Observer, 5 June 2009

Armed police were called after a man from Raploch, Stirling, barricaded himself inside his former home during "difficult" divorce proceedings.  His wife informed police that there was an air rifle and pellets in the house though she thought he wouldn't use it.  As a result of the incident in May 2009 Ian Philip admitted a breach of the peace and was sentenced to 200 hours community service.

Paisley Daily Express, 3 June 2009

A man was shot twice as he stood with a friend at a bus shelter in Renfrew.  The victim was hit on the foot or ankle and the lower part of his body.  It is believed a pistol was used.

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WALES

Western Mail, 23 June 2009

Around 10 armed police officers surrounded a house in Riverside, Cardiff, after they were told a man living there had a handgun.  The man escaped from the scene, but when the police entered his house they retrieved an airgun.  A man has been arrested.  The arrest is linked to an incident in Grangetown, Cardiff, in which a man was assaulted and had cash stolen (South Wales Echo, 24 June 2009).

Wales Online, 18 June 2009

Matthew Jones, 18, pointed an air rifle in the dark at an officer after the police had been called by neighbours in Caerphilly when they had seen him in the street repeatedly loading his .22 air weapon and firing towards their homes in February 2009.  The WPC had to jump behind a car as he aimed the gun at her.  Jones said he had drunk six or seven cans of lager before "shooting at targets at random".  He pleaded guilty of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and was given an 18 months sentence in a young offenders' institution.

Wales Online, 13 June 2009

Alexander Ward has been jailed for five years after giving himself up to the police a month after he committed a robbery in Cardiff in April 2009 (see Incidents).  He told them the gun had been a replica weapon which he had later dismantled and thrown into a river.

Western Telegraph, 8 June 2009

Police have appealed to anyone who saw a person carrying an airgun in the Prendergast area of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, to get in touch after a window at the infants school was smashed.

South Wales Echo, 3 June 2009

Police in Rhoose, South Glamorgan, have reminded people that 18 is the minimum age at which you may buy, hire or be given an airgun or travel with it unaccompanied.  The reminder follows reports of people seen carrying the weapons in public spaces.

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INCIDENTS INVOLVING ANIMALS

Herald, 29 June 2009

The RSPCA have warned that it is likely that there will be hundreds of airgun attacks on animals this summer.  It highlighted a number of recent incidents including those in which a cat was shot with an airgun as he lay on a window ledge outside his home in Reading, Berkshire, and another in which a cat had to have a leg amputated after he was shot in Oakland, Leicestershire.

Teletext, 27 June 2009

A cat lost an eye as a result of an airgun attack in Yoxford, Suffolk.

ThameNews.Net, 26 June 2009

A cat has been hit in the leg by air rifle pellets in Chinnor, Oxfordshire.  The cat's sister had also been shot in the leg six months ago.  Both cats had to be operated on.

Inverness Courier, 26 June 2009

There has been a spate of airgun attacks on gulls in a residential street in Inverness.  Community leaders are now warning of the dangers of someone being injured.  In the latest incidents a gull was found with fresh gunshot wounds which were so severe it later died.

This is Derbyshire, 24 June 2009

A cat was shot with a shotgun in Chaddesden, Derby, and left with between 10 and 15 pellets in its back and legs.  The pellets were removed by a vet.

stv, 23 June 2009 *

A cat that went missing from his home in Gilmerton, Edinburgh, was found 11 days later in agony after being shot 11 times at close range with an airgun.  There were pellets lodged in his face, chest and legs.  An operation was performed to save two of his legs, which were both badly broken in the attack.  The cat was found on a road in Howgate and it is thought that he may have been taken to there by car.  A reward has been offered in an effort to trace those responsible (Advertiser, 13 July 2009).

BBC, 23 June 2009

Three cats have been shot with an air rifle in the Tremar Coombe area of Liskeard in Cornwall.  One of the cats was so badly injured it died after the shooting.  In the most recent incident a cat was shot in the chest and the leg, shattering a bone.

Express & Echo, 18 June 2009

The RSPCA is appealing for information following a series of gull shootings in Exmouth, Devon.  In the latest incident a man was seen getting out of his van, leaning over the bonnet and shooting at a gull with an air rifle.  An injured bird had to be put to sleep because of the severity of its injuries.

Coventry Telegraph, 18 June 2009

A swan with an airgun pellet in its neck was left to die on the Coventry Canal at Sutton Stop.  The injured bird was rescued and following surgery has made a full recovery and is now back with his partner and cygnets.

Metro, 16 June 2009

A pet cat from Guisborough, Teesside, is recovering after being shot 50 times with an air rifle.  She was covered in blood and her owner assumed her pet had been attacked by a dog.  Twenty of the pellets have been removed during emergency surgery leaving 30 embedded in her body.  In other reports the weapon used is said to have been a shotgun (BBC, 16 June 2009).

This is Local London, 12 June 2009

A fox has been put down after being shot with an airgun and left to die.  The animal was discovered in a garden shed in Croydon, south London.  It had been shot in the ribs and abdomen.

Get Surrey, 11 June 2009

A cat had to have a leg amputated after being shot with an air rifle near her home in Chiddingfold, Surrey.  A pellet had been discovered lodged close to a joint in her leg.  Amputation limited further suffering.

Edinburgh Evening News, 11 June 2009

A cat has been shot in the throat in an airgun attack in South Queensferry, West Lothian.  He remains in intensive care after vets operated to remove a pellet dangerously lodged in his larynx.  It is likely that he will never be able to miaow again.

Telegraph & Argus, 10 June 2009

A dog has been shot twice with an air rifle in Horton Bank Top, Bradford.  A vet was able to remove one pellet during emergency surgery but had to leave the other inside the dog.  Two shots were heard after the pet wandered off into a nearby garden.

Northern Echo, 10 June 2009

A cat was shot and killed with an air rifle in Moorside, County Durham.  He ran into his owners' house bleeding heavily and died during an operation at the vets.

Watford Observer, 9 June 2009

A cat has been shot with an air rifle in South Oxhey, Hertfordshire.  The injured cat hobbled to its home before collapsing.  It had been shot in the left thigh.

News & Star, 9 June 2009

Two cats have been shot with airguns in Carlisle.  One was shot in the leg at close range, shattering its bones, and he has had to have a leg amputated.  The second cat was shot from further away in the neck near its face.  It is not known whether the two shootings are linked.

Evening Express, 8 June 2009

A cat owner in Kincorth, Aberdeen, one of whose cats had already been targeted in an airgun shooting, has had her other cat shot three times.  In the latest attack one of the pellets has been become lodged behind the cat's heart.

The Sentinel, 5 June 2009

Seven pigeons and a number of ducks have been shot near a canal in Mount Pleasant, Stoke-on-Trent.  The shootings have taken place over the last two months.

This is Bath, 4 June 2009

A cat is now recovering at a vets' surgery after it was shot at close range with an airgun in Peasedown St John, Somerset.  Pellets were handed into the police after the incident at an open space.

BBC, 4 June 2009

A family of swans, an adult and four cygnets, has been found dead with on a pond in Gateshead, Tyneside.   They had suffered wounds consistent with the use of an airgun.  Two teenagers have been charged with killing a wild bird, possessing an air weapon in a public place and having ammunition for an air weapon in a public place (The Journal, 5 June 2009).

Watford Observer, 3 June 2009

A cat suffered a "great deal of pain and distress" when it was shot with an air rifle in Watford, Hertfordshire.  A vet put him down to save further suffering after a pellet was found in his spine.

Norwich Evening News, 3 June 2009

A cat owner found her pet inches from death after he had been shot with a shotgun in Ormesby, Norfolk.  He had been shot through the chest and hundreds of fragments were lodged in his front left leg which had to be amputated.  The owner believes he was shot intentionally as vets said he was probably shot from quite close range.

Lincolnshire Echo, 3 June 2009

A pregnant cat was shot in the hip with an airgun near her home in Heighington, Lincolnshire.  The pellet cannot be removed as she cannot be put under anaesthetic because of the pregnancy and until the litter is weaned.

Daily Echo, 3 June 2009

A family whose cat was shot in the back with an air rifle in Bournemouth, Dorset, believe she may have been used for target practice after straying into a nearby garden.  She needed an operation to have a pellet removed from her back.

Comet, 3 June 2009

A cat is recovering after he was shot with an airgun in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.  He had to undergo surgery to have a leg saved after a pellet was found embedded in the top of his leg which had shattered the bone.

Horncastle News, 2 June 2009 *

A cat has had his leg amputated after being shot in the knee in a 'deliberate' attack with an air rifle in Mareham le Fen, Lincolnshire.  His owners at first thought he had been hit by a car but a vet revealed the knee had been smashed with an air rifle pellet.  The cat has been helped on the road to recovery with a gift from an anonymous well-wisher (Boston Standard, 22 July 2009).

Advertiser, 1 June 2009

A kitten has been shot with an airgun for the second time in three months in Brackley, Northamptonshire.  In the latest incident the kitten suffered serious injuries.  The pellet was removed by surgery, but the family has been left with a bill for nearly £700.  In February the kitten's leg was injured.