SEPTEMBER 2010
We prepare
a monthly review 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
Review was written are marked (*).
ENGLAND
Yorkshire Evening Post,
30 September 2010
Hugh
Swaby was found with a loaded machine gun at his girlfriend's home in
Holbeck, Leeds, in March 2010 (see
Incidents). Police raided the
property after a tip-off. They also found 26
shotgun cartridges and two 9mm
bullets. He had recently been released on licence from jail and was
banned from possessing weapons after being convicted of aggravated
burglary in which a handgun was used. He was found guilty of possession
of a prohibited firearm, possession of a firearm when prohibited and
possession of ammunition when prohibited and jailed for eight years.
Sunderland Echo,
30 September 2010
Two
teenagers were attacked in a park in Albany, County Durham. One
of them was held with a gun to his head while the other was sliced
through the ear with what he thought was a knife. The two attackers
were believed to be in their 20s.
Rye
& Battle Observer,
30 September 2010 *
Two men
have been arrested after a number of late night muggings in
Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. In each incident the offenders were
seen with a suspected firearm. One of the men, aged 18, has been
charged with two robberies, attempted robbery and possession of an
imitation firearm. Two men have each
been jailed for five years (see
March 2011 Incidents).
Liverpool Echo,
30 September 2010
One or
two shots possibly from a shotgun
were fired at a home in Kirkby, Merseyside. No-one was injured.
Liverpool Echo,
30 September 2010 *
A woman
has been arrested after drugs and a shotgun
and ammunition were found at a house in Stockbridge Village,
Liverpool. A man has been jailed for possession of a firearm (see
March 2011 Incidents).
Lancaster Guardian,
30 September 2010
An
imitation firearm, two hand grenades and an explosives shell
were found in a Lancaster flat. Three people have been arrested
in connection with the incident. The finds have been linked to an
attempted murder in Heysham 11 years ago.
Lancashire Telegraph,
30 September 2010
Karen
Wilkinson entered a store in Darwen, Lancashire, in August 2010
(see
Incidents) armed with an
air rifle. She had been drinking
heavily and demanded vodka whilst pointing the gun at the shopkeeper
threatening to shoot him. She has been jailed for a total of sixteen
months for attempted robbery and possession of a firearm. The air rifle
belonged to her husband and had been taken out of its place in the home
where it had been locked away.
Haringey Independent,
30 September 2010
Joshua
Munnings was stopped in Wood Green, north London, in November
2009 and found to have a loaded shotgun
in a bag which he discarded when he ran off from the police. He was
found guilty of possession of a loaded weapon in public and jailed for
six years.
Fulham & Hammersmith Chronicle,
30 September 2010
Simon
Barnard raided eight bookmakers in Fulham, west London, in under
a week. He pretended to have a gun and handed staff a note saying he
would shoot them unless they handed over cash. He admitted eight counts
of robbery and was jailed for nine years.
Evening Gazette,
30 September 2010
Liam
Evans, 18, stole a number of items from an outhouse in Stockton,
Teesside, including a BB gun. He
admitted this and another burglary committed during August 2010. He was
given an 18-month custodial sentence.
BBC,
30 September 2010
A man
was in hospital with chest and shoulder injuries and a woman was treated
for a leg wound after being shot near isolated farm premises in
Stanfree, Derbyshire. Two men have been arrested.
This
is Sussex,
29 September 2010
James
Dowdey has been jailed for holding up a bookmakers in Gossops Green,
West Sussex, in November 2009 (see
Incidents). He pointed an
imitation handgun and left with a bag
of cash but was caught shortly afterwards after a member of the public
called the police and followed the offender.
The
Star,
29 September 2010
A
10-year-old girl threatened a fellow pupil with two
BB guns at a primary school in
Meersbrook, Sheffield. Parents are furious that the girl was only
given a two day suspension and is now back in class. The school denies
any child was ever threatened with the guns. The police have "spoken
strongly" to the girl, to the friend from whom she had borrowed the guns
and the parents of both children.
Oxford Mail,
29 September 2010
Two men
broke into a pub in Oxford and threatened the landlord with a
pistol and a hammer before stealing £16,000.
Lancashire Telegraph,
29 September 2010 *
A man
with property near Burnley, Lancashire, had his existing firearms
and shotgun certificates revoked
after he applied to police for a handgun to shoot sheep even though he
had not got any. He had also wanted a high-powered rifle to hunt deer.
A firearms inquiry officer said that the man had told him he felt it
would be "safer to have a pistol in a holster to drive around his
land". He is said to have had neighbour disputes and one farmer said he
had seen the appellant firing a shotgun from the hip, rather than the
shoulder (The Citizen (Burnley), 28 September 2010). Ahmed
Khashaba has had his appeal rejected (Telegraph, 3 October 2010)
and the judge said he had "no good reason" to have the guns.
Haringey Independent,
29 September 2010 *
Yusuf
Arslan fired shots with a sub-machine gun at a car in Tottenham,
north London, in September 2009. He has been convicted of two counts of
attempted murder. At the time of his arrest in Tottenham Hale in
February 2010 another man, Emre Kamalak, threw a bag containing a loaded
revolver out of the window. Kamalak admitted possession of a firearm
and ammunition with intent to endanger life. Arslan has been jailed
indefinitely and will serve a minimum of ten years (Enfield
Independent, 22 October 2010). Kamalak has been jailed for
eight-and-a-half years (Enfield Independent, 18 November 2010).
Evening Standard,
29 September 2010
A
courier carrying bars of gold bullion was shot with a
stun gun and robbed as he made a
delivery to a jeweller in Hatton Garden, Central London. A gang
of four men were later arrested in Dagenham, east London.
Dudley News,
29 September 2010
Kain
Houghton from Dudley, West Midlands, has been given a 12 month
community order for possessing a stun gun.
He was also handed a 12 month community order for possessing cannabis.
Daily Mirror,
29 September 2010
At least
one shot was fired as a gang targeted a security van delivering cash to
a cashpoint machine in Chelsea, west London. Nobody was injured.
BBC,
29 September 2010
A
landlord and his wife were threatened by two men at gunpoint. The men
forced them to open a safe at the pub in Chapel Brampton,
Northamptonshire. The men stole a substantial amount of cash.
BBC,
29 September 2010 *
A man is
in a life-threatening condition after being shot in the face outside a
house in Luton, Bedfordshire. Police have described the attack
as "targeted" (BBC, 1 October 2010). An artist's impression has
been released of a man wanted in connection with the attempted murder (BBC,
2 February 2011).
Northern Echo,
28 September 2010
An
ambulance was hit by an airgun
pellet causing an indentation in Houghton-le-Spring, Country
Durham. A few minutes later a car had a side window shattered in the
same area, although that damage could have been caused by a stone.
Metro,
28 September 2010 *
Pro-Tect
Systems has had its licence to import and sell
Tasers revoked after it was found
to have breached the licence by supplying X12 Tasers and XRep ammunition
directly to two police forces. The weapons should only have been
supplied to the Home Officer science and development branch. Armed
officers fired two of the Tasers at Raoul Moat in Rothbury,
Northumberland, in July 2010 (see
Incidents). An investigation by
Northamptonshire Police has identified that offences against the
Firearms Act 1968 had been committed but they have concluded that taking
action against the firm was not in the public interest (BBC, 11
October 2010).
Manchester Evening News,
28 September 2010
Two men
fired shots at a man as he was walking through a car park at an
apartment block in Droylsden, Greater Manchester. Two shots were
fired from a handgun. The victim ran to safety.
The
Journal,
28 September 2010
An
11-year-old boy has been shot with an air
rifle while he was walking in an allotment area in
Ashington, Northumberland. He was hit in the back of the head, just
behind the ear. He was taken to hospital to have the pellet removed.
Islington Gazette,
28 September 2010
Thomas
Bello-Monerville carried out 14 armed raids on betting shops including
premises in Islington, north London, and Acton, west
London. The raids took place over a four-and-a-half month period up to
February 2010. He used an imitation silver
revolver during the robberies. He admitted a total of eight
robberies and six attempted robberies with a further five raids left to
lie on his court file. He was jailed for eight years.
Epping Forest, Waltham Forest, Wanstead & Woodford Guardian,
28 September 2010
Marcus
Moore has been jailed after a series of raids on bookmakers across east
London between January and May 2010 including one in Ilford in
March. He pleaded guilty to five counts of robbery, two attempted
robberies and seven counts of possessing a firearm. He has been jailed
for eight years.
Clitheroe Advertiser and Times,
28 September 2010
Thieves
escaped with thousands of pounds worth of goods including an
SMK air rifle from a house in
Rimington, Lancashire.
Bridgwater Mercury,
28 September 2010
A pub
landlord in Bridgwater, Somerset, is alleged to have held a
sawn-off shotgun to a man's head.
Police were called to the pub after the claims were made. The licence
of the pub has been temporarily suspended after this and a number of
other incidents. However, no charges have been brought against the
landlord.
Bolton News,
28 September 2010
A
sawn-off shotgun, a loaded Baikal
handgun with a silencer and a large amount of ammunition were recovered
during raids in Bolton, Greater Manchester. Two men were arrested on
suspicion of drugs and firearms offences.
BBC,
28 September 2010 *
A taxi
driver was shot in Lower Earley, Berkshire. He is in a stable
condition and his injuries are not thought to be life threatening. He
has been released from hospital (Reading Post, 1 October 2010).
Three men and a woman have been arrested on a suspicion of conspiracy to
commit murder and the men were also held on suspicion of attempted
murder, possessing a firearm, theft of motor vehicle and arson (BBC,
13 October 2010). Six more people have been arrested in connection with
the shooting (BBC, 3 March 2011).
This
is Wiltshire,
27 September 2010
A man
brandishing a firearm was arrested on suspicion of possession of a
firearm with intent to endanger life in Calne, Wiltshire, after
allegedly shooting a man outside the building in an argument. Police
arrested a second man and seized four weapons which have been sent for
forensic examination. The victim did not require medical attention
following the attack. The weapon was an air
rifle (This is Wiltshire, 30 September 2010).
Telegraph & Argus,
27 September 2010 *
A gun
was fired at a car in Shearbridge, Bradford. Police officers
found a bullet hole in the door of the vehicle. A man is on trial and
has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, three firearms charges,
attempt to kidnap and causing actual bodily harm. Two other have
pleaded not guilty to causing actual bodily harm and attempted kidnap (Telegraph
& Argus, 23 February 2011).
Solihull News,
27 September 2010
A woman,
reported to be a former police officer, was found with a gunshot wound
to the head at her home in Shirley, West Midlands. The weapon
involved was a legally-held shotgun.
It is believed she had tried to take her own life. She remains in a
critical but stable condition in hospital.
News
& Star,
27 September 2010
Richard
Ewart terrorised his estranged wife sending a number of text messages
and making calls describing serial killers as heroes. He was said to be
aggressive when drunk. He was found with an arsenal of weapons
including an airgun in his former
home in Carlisle. He has been given bail whilst awaiting
sentencing.
Manchester Evening News,
27 September 2010
An
11-year-old girl had to spend five days in hospital after being shot in
the arm with an airgun in
Oldham, Greater Manchester. The pellet remains in her arm and she
could face surgery to remove it. At the time of the attack she was
walking along a path with her father.
Manchester Evening News,
27 September 2010
A
shopkeeper in Shaw, Greater Manchester, was hit over the head
with a handgun during a raid by three men. The offenders stole cash.
Halesowen News,
27 September 2010
Aaron
Taylor from Oldbury, West Midlands, pointed a handgun at a man
and tried to steal his car just hours after being bailed for stealing
another car. The motorist sped from the scene. When Taylor was
arrested an imitation revolver was found in cupboard at his home. He
admitted robbery, possessing an imitation
firearm and theft and asked for five other offences to be
taken into consideration.
The
Gazette,
27 September 2010
In an
attack which took place in July an 8-year-old boy was shot in the arm
and hip with a BB gun. It left
him with bruising. He had asked a group of youths to move from a
football pitch in Cleveleys, Lancashire, where he and others
wanted to play but the youths refused to leave and after an argument
shot the victim.
Epping Forest, Waltham Forest, Wanstead & Woodford Guardian,
27 September 2010
Matthew
Broomfield has pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery and three counts
of possession of a firearm following a series of raids on travel agents
and bookmakers in east London and Essex. He was linked to robberies in
Barking, Brentwood, Chadwell Heath, Dagenham,
Hornchurch, Romford and Upminster between October 2009
and May 2010. Broomfield entered the shops with either an
imitation gun or a knife and demanded
money after producing the weapon. He has been jailed for eight and a
half years.
BBC,
27 September 2010
A man
has been charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition after
police raids on house in Northamptonshire. Officers seized drugs, cash,
a firearm and ammunition during the raids in Kettering,
Wellingborough and Burton Latimer. The man has also been
charged along with another with drugs offences. Three other people were
arrested and released on bail.
BBC,
27 September 2010
Two men
threatened a member of staff at a travel agency in Addlestone,
Surrey, with what they claimed was a firearm wrapped in a cloth. They
demanded money and left with thousands of pounds in sterling and foreign
currency.
BBC,
26 September 2010
A man
believed to be aged about 19 brandished a handgun and a knife at staff
at a shop in Blackhill, County Durham, and demanded money.
No-one was hurt and the offender fled empty handed.
Surrey Comet,
25 September 2010
A
teenager who was aged 12 at the time he tried to rob a store in New
Malden, Surrey, in June 2010 (see
Incidents) has pleaded guilty to
attempted robbery and given a six-month referral order. He was caught
by one of the staff who grabbed a toy gun
from another boy who was with him. No action was taken against a second
teenager even though it is reported that he had pressured the younger
boy into being involved.
North-West Evening Mail,
25 September 2010
Street
lights have been damaged in an air rifle
attack at a holiday village in Millom, Cumbria. Pellets were
found by workmen in the broken shells of the lights.
BBC,
25 September 2010
A man
was recovering in hospital after being shot in a street in Peckham,
south east London. A man was later arrested in connection with the
shooting.
Yorkshire Post,
24 September 2010
Joonas
Jarvsoo was recruited by an international gang to carry out three armed
robberies on jewellers in Leeds in April 2006, Manchester
in September 2006 (see
Incidents) and Wolverhampton
in January 2007. He has been jailed for 12 years after admitting three
charges of robbery and three of possessing
imitation firearms with intent to commit robbery.
This
is Kent,
24 September 2010
Steven
Oakeshott held a starting pistol
against his niece's head as she sat in bed at his home in Tunbridge
Wells, Kent. He did so because she would not move out of his
property. He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to
cause fear of violence and was given a suspended 14-week jail sentence.
He was also ordered to carry out 150 hours' unpaid work.
Romford Recorder,
24 September 2010
A man
was shot and seriously injured at a travellers' site in Noak Hill,
east London. He was shot once in the back and his injuries are
described as "potentially life-changing".
Northern Echo,
24 September 2010
An armed
response team was called to a street in Bishop Auckland, County
Durham, where the occupant was heard shouting and claiming to have a
knife and gun. He was taken to hospital for treatment. The police did
not recover any weapons.
Manchester Evening News,
24 September 2010
Two
deactivated guns, a Kalashnikov M70A and an M16 semi-automatic carbine
rifle, were stolen from a military memorabilia collector by two robbers
who attacked him at his home in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester.
Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express,
24 September 2010
A man
attempted to rob a shopkeeper in Hemsworth, West Yorkshire, but
the victim pushed the weapon away and the man eventually ran off
empty-handed. The weapon is thought to have been a
replica firearm, and was described as
looking plastic like a water pistol.
Get
Surrey,
24 September 2010
Joe
Sanders, 18, from Tadworth, Surrey, robbed a pensioner and her
daughter while they were walking their dog in woods near their home in
June 2010 (see
Incidents). He was armed with a
.22 air rifle and stole just £10.
He has pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a firearm with intent
to cause fear and violence. He was given a 20 month sentence for the
firearms offence and 10 months for robbery.
Ely
Weekly News,
24 September 2010
A gun
and ammunition have been found dumped in the River Ouse in Ely,
Cambridgeshire.
Bridgwater Mercury,
24 September 2010
Aaron
Larson and Nathan Addicott burst into a store in Bridgwater,
Somerset, in January 2010 wielding BB guns
and made off with cigarettes and cash. Larson has been jailed for a
total of five years after admitting two counts of robbery, one of
possessing an imitation firearm, and two charges of burglary. Addicott
was jailed for four years after admitting possessing an imitation
firearm, theft, handling stolen goods and three charges of possessing
cannabis. See also
March 2010 Incidents.
The
Argus,
24 September 2010
Two men
held up a cash delivery at a bank in Hove, East Sussex. Staff
said they believed the robbers were carrying a gun. An undisclosed
amount of cash was stolen.
Reading Chronicle,
23 September 2010 *
A man
has been arrested on suspicion of possession of an
air rifle and resisting arrest after
a gunshot was fired in a car park in Theale, Berkshire. He has
appeared in court accused of carrying a loaded air rifle without
authority and has denied this charge and two charges of resisting police
officers (Reading Post, 5 November 2010).
Oxford Times,
23 September 2010
An
18-year-old man was spotted on a CCTV brandishing a
BB gun at another man from a car in
Witney, Oxfordshire. He was issued with a formal police caution
for possession of a firearm in a public place.
Oxford Mail,
23 September 2010
Ashraf
Ditta was found with a stun gun
and cannabis at his home in Oxford. He admitted production of a
Class B drug and possession of a weapon and was given a 50 week jail
sentence, suspended for 18 months.
LondonSE1,
23 September 2010
Lorenzo
Brooks, 20, has been sentenced to a total of seven years imprisonment
for possession of a handgun and crack cocaine. He was arrested in April
2009 at an address on an estate in Waterloo, south London. A
handgun was thrown out of the window and was found close to the rear
windows of the flat. Brooks' fingerprints were later found on it. He
pleaded guilty to the charges.
Liverpool Echo,
23 September 2010
An
eight-year-old girl found a loaded handgun dumped in a bag on a patch of
wasteland in New Ferry, Wirral. The gun could have lain
undiscovered since 2004.
BBC,
23 September 2010
Two men,
one of them a teenager, have been charged with robbing a taxi driver of
his belongings in Langley, Berkshire. They have also been
charged with being in possession of a firearm. Another teenager was
arrested and released on bail.
The
Argus,
23 September 2010
Two men
have threatened a woman with a gun in Haywards Heath, West
Sussex.
The
Argus,
23 September 2010
A
firearm was reportedly seen during an armed robbery at a post office in
Hove, East Sussex. One man is believed to have been responsible.
This
is Wiltshire,
22 September 2010
Wesley
Harvie from Oakhurst, Swindon, had been drinking when he pointed
an SMK air rifle at the spy hole
in a friend's front door and threatened to blow it in and shoot him. He
was convicted of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of
unlawful violence and jailed for four years and three months. He had
previous convictions for violence including affray, carrying a weapon
and common assault.
This
is Cornwall,
22 September 2010
Keith
England has been given a five-year prison sentence after admitting
possessing a specially-modified Smith and Wesson revolver with intent to
cause fear of violence. In August 2010 (see
Incidents) he had had an argument
with his wife at their home in Liskeard, Cornwall, before firing
a bullet into their sofa. He fled the scene before turning to fire
twice at the couple's home. He was later arrested in Somerset after
making a distress call. He told police he was intending to shoot
himself. England, a slaughterman, kept the revolver at work.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo,
22 September 2010
A woman
allegedly found with an imitation gun
and an overnight bus ticket to London when police raided her home in
Wallsend, Tyneside, has appeared in court charged with making
threats to kill the Pope during his state visit.
The
News,
22 September 2010
A man
drinking in a pub garden in Havant, Hampshire, was shot with a
BB gun. He was struck in the neck
and taken to hospital. An hour later a man was assaulted in a flat
opposite the pub, believed to be where the shot was fired from.
Liverpool Echo,
22 September 2010
Two men
raided a shop in West Derby, Liverpool, and threatened staff with
a shotgun. One of the men
vaulted the counter to steal cash.
Islington Gazette,
22 September 2010
Abdi
Samanter pulled up on a motorbike outside a nightclub in Finsbury,
central London, in December 2009 (see
Incidents) and indiscriminately
fired a revolver into a crowd. Just minutes earlier he had been barred
from entering the club with a group of friends. He fell off the bike
after firing and was caught by bouncers and a taxi driver. He was found
guilty of two counts of attempted murder and will serve a minimum of 11
years in prison.
Ilkeston Advertiser,
22 September 2010
Police
recovered a haul of eight firearms during a raid on an industrial unit
in Birmingham. The weapons included two Baikals, a Smith and
Wesson, a Brocock and a Mac10 as well as silencers and ammunition. They
are now being fingerprinted and tested for DNA and will then be examined
by experts at the National Ballistics Intelligence Service.
Express & Star,
22 September 2010
Darren
Bradley kept a 9mm Baikal pistol and bullets in a first aid kit at the
home of his mother in Bilston, West Midlands. He was caught with
cannabis in the boot of his car. He was jailed for five years for
possession of a firearm and three years to run consecutively for
conspiracy to supply cannabis. His mother was initially arrested but
later released without charge.
Evening Telegraph
(Peterborough),
22 September 2010 *
A man
pointed a handgun at staff at a petrol station in Orton Goldhay,
Peterborough, and demanded money. He escaped with a few hundred
pounds. CCTV images of the robbery have been released (Evening
Telegraph (Peterborough), 22 December 2010).
Enfield Independent,
22 September 2010
Avgoustie Avgoustie has admitted attempted robbery and possession of an
imitation firearm. He produced
the gun at a service station in Enfield, north London, in May
2010 and demanded money before threatening to set the petrol station on
fire. He has been jailed for seven years.
East
Anglian Daily Times,
22 September 2010
A drug
dealer who was caught with a loaded gun, crack cocaine and cannabis has
been jailed for five years for possessing a firearm and a further five
years of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply. Richard
Allen also received further sentences for other drug offences and for
possessing ammunition without a certificate. Allen was stopped in his
car in Bromley, south London, in January 2010 following a tip
off. The gun was found at an address in Catford where he was
staying. The weapon was a Cuno Melcher ME9 Para-22D
air pistol which had been modified to
fire live rounds.
Birmingham Mail,
22 September 2010
Worried
residents called police after a group of men were seen with weapons in
Small Heath, Birmingham. A man was later arrested and found in
possession of what was believed to be a silencer for a gun. Police
searched the area but no firearm was found.
BBC,
22 September 2010
A man
and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm
after a raid on a property in Derby. A
shotgun was recovered. The pair
have been charged with possession of a firearm and class A drugs with
intent to supply (BBC, September 2010).
BBC,
22 September 2010
A man
brandishing what was described as a handgun entered a post office in
Bestwood, Nottingham, and demanded cash. When staff refused to hand
over any money the man ran off. Police have arrested a 19-year-old man
(Nottingham Post, 23 September 2010).
Westmorland Gazette,
21 September 2010 *
Gareth
Jackson has been warned to expect a long prison sentence after he
admitted being involved in an armed raid on a house in Burneside,
Cumbria. He was one of three men who threatened the occupants with
knives and guns in July 2010 (see
Incidents). He pleaded guilty to
attempting to rob the occupants of drugs and cash, and having an
imitation handgun with intent to
commit a robbery. He was jailed for six and a half years. Two other
men have not been traced (Westmorland Gazette, 4 November 2010).
The
Star,
21 September 2010 *
Robert
Wall put an imitation handgun to
the head of a store worker in Goldthorpe, South Yorkshire, in
July 2010. He was drunk at the time and demanded alcohol and money from
the till. He was given a seven year sentence. The sentence was reduced
to six years on appeal (The Star, 1 March 2011).
Lynn
News,
21 September 2010
A
stun gun was among items
recovered by police during a raid on a home in Kings Lynn,
Norfolk. Stolen property and drugs were also found. A man was arrested
on suspicion of drug dealing and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Liverpool Echo,
21 September 2010
Three
men, Joseph O'Rourke, Lee Malone and James Dunne have admitted their
role in a plot to traffic firearms. A fourth man faces charges of
converting, transferring and selling weapons at a gun factory in
Vauxhall, Liverpool. The man, who worked at the engineering
premises, told the police he was a gun enthusiast but was not involved
in converting or selling weapons. He admits buying deactivated guns and
trying to manufacture parts. A fifth man who is believed to have been
involved and was arrested for a gun attack on his nephew is still on the
run. During their investigation police came across weapons including an
Uzi sub-machine gun, Glock handguns and a Sten machine gun. It is
alleged that the man on trial regularly met another man who ran a
deactivated weapons business who recalled 10 transactions with the
defendant who has given a number of explanations for buying the weapons,
including that they were meant for friends who were training to become
bodyguards (Liverpool Echo, 22 September 2010).
The
Docklands24,
21 September 2010
Vandals
have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage after repeated attacks
at the DLR station at London City Airport, east London. A number
of windows have been smashed. An air rifle
or sling shot may have been used.
Bracknell Forest Standard,
21 September 2010
A gunman
shot a man and then ran in the direction of a group of young footballers
on an adjacent field wielding his weapon. He then jumped in a car and
drove away. The victim was shot in the leg and received hospital
treatment. The incident occurred in Winkfield Row, Berkshire.
BBC,
21 September 2010
A man
has been arrested after a police officer was shot at in
Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. A firearm was recovered and an
examination revealed it to be an air rifle.
He has been accused of shooting at police officers and a police vehicle
during the incident, possession of a firearm, a BSA Supersport break
barrel 0.22 air weapon, with intent to cause fear of violence, using the
firearm with intent to resist arrest and criminal damage and affray (Evening
Telegraph (Northamptonshire), 22 September 2010).
Telegraph & Argus,
20 September 2010
A gang
of up to 40 youths have terrorised a neighbourhood in Wrose, West
Yorkshire. They have been seen carrying metal bars, baseball bats,
sticks and an air rifle and have
caused a number of problems to the residents.
Epsom Guardian,
20 September 2010
A man
has been charged with criminal damage, possessing a firearm and two
counts of possessing a bladed article. The charges follow an incident
in Ewell, Surrey, in which utility workers were threatened.
BBC,
19 September 2010 *
A man
has been fatally shot in the stomach in Wythenshawe, Greater
Manchester. He was taken to hospital for emergency surgery but died a
short time later. The shooting occurred a short time after two cars
pulled up and some men began arguing. The victim was apparently known
to the police (Manchester Evening News, 21 September 2010). A
man has been arrested on suspicion of murder (BBC, 23 October
2010).
BBC,
19 September 2010
A man
was in a serious condition after being shot at a petrol station near
Stamford Brook tube station in west London.
News
& Star,
18 September 2010 *
John
Spencer, a former soldier, threatened two police officers with a gun, an
unloaded gas-powered ball-bearing gun
he used for paintballing. He had called the police to his home in
Houghton, Cumbria, after hearing noises outside his house. He
claimed he did not recognise the officers as police. He pleaded guilty
to a charge of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear
of violence. He was given a suspended nine-month prison sentence and
ordered to do 200 hours unpaid community work. He was told by the judge
that he "could have ended up being shot dead". The police officers have
been nominated for a bravery award (News & Star, 16 February
2011).
BBC,
18 September 2010
Police
are investigating after a number of shots were fired at a house in
Fazakerley, Merseyside. No-one was injured.
This
is Cornwall,
17 September 2010
At the
trial of a man from Camborne, Cornwall, accused of breaching a
non-molestation injunction, his former partner has revealed how he kept
a loaded shotgun and
air rifle in the house and on one
occasion had intimidated her with a gun.
Telegraph & Argus,
17 September 2010
Anthony
Scull and Nicola Shoesmith hid a sawn-off
shotgun in a bedroom at their home in Little Horton,
Bradford. It was found by police when they executed a search warrant in
April 2009. The gun had been fired by other criminals. Both defendants
admitted possessing a firearm and possessing heroin and cocaine with
intent to supply, and Shoesmith admitted two further drug charges.
Between them they were jailed for more than thirteen years.
Shields Gazette,
17 September 2010
Gary
Daly was found with an extendable baton in his cab and a
stun gun was found at his home in
South Shields, Tyneside. He said the gun was a "boy's toy" which
was given to him by a pal as a joke. He admitted having an offensive
weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon. He was sentenced to a
community order with 200 hours' unpaid work.
Evening Standard,
17 September 2010
Damien
Meade exchanged gunshots with rivals in Clapton, east London,
using a starting gun converted to shoot live rounds. A car was damaged
in the shoot-out. He pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent
to endanger life, possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing
ammunition without a certificate. He was jailed for seven years.
Diss
Express,
17 September 2010
A man
was arrested after police searched his home in Palgrave, Suffolk,
in March 2010 and found the barrel and stock of a 12-bore shotgun in a
garage and the firing mechanism in a locked gun cabinet in his bedroom.
When reassembled the gun was found to be in full working order. Paul
Cousins pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a prohibited
firearm. It was claimed that he believed that the gun was deactivated
and that he thought it was exempt from the requirements of the law which
bans the possession of sawn-off guns. He admitted being in possession
of a sawn-off shotgun and was
jailed for two years.
This
is Lancashire,
16 September 2010
Three
men burst into a home in Darwen, Lancashire, and confronted a man
and his girlfriend before escaping with cash. At least one of the
intruders was carrying a firearm which was pointed at the man.
Sheffield Telegraph,
16 September 2010
David
Smith, one of three people from Sheffield jailed after pleading
guilty to fraud charges also admitted possessing a 9mm 1938 Beretta
handgun which he said he was storing for a friend. He was jailed for
five years.
Local Guardian,
16 September 2010
Tyron
Frank, 19, Ramone Barnes, 19, and Israel Campbell have pleaded guilty to
attempted robbery and possession of an
imitation firearm. They were part of a gang which attempted
to rob a bookmakers in Gipsy Hill, south London, in December
2009. Frank, Campbell and two other men pointed a gun at staff but left
empty handed and made off in a car driven by Barnes. An imitation
firearm was found in the car when the car was forced to stop. Frank was
jailed for three years and Campbell for four years. Barnes will be
sentenced later.
Liverpool Echo,
16 September 2010
A man
has pleaded not guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to
cause fear of violence. He is alleged to have brandished a
replica handgun outside a house in
Old Swan, Liverpool.
Coventry Telegraph,
16 September 2010
Andrew
Martin has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years after he pulled out a
sawn-off shotgun and fired it
into the ground during a gang dispute in Henley Green, Coventry,
in January 2010.
BBC,
16 September 2010
A shot
was fired at a man in West Hanningfield, Essex. No-one was hurt
in the shooting but police are investigating the offence as attempted
murder.
This
is Local London,
15 September 2010
A
teenager was shot in the face at point-blank range by a gunman on a bike
as he tried to get on a bus in Tulse Hill, south London.
Shrapnel from homemade ammunition embedded in the victim's cheek. The
weapon was later described as a modified
blank-firing gun (Local Guardian, 30 September 2010).
Press Association,
15 September 2010
Gary
Mayhew has been jailed for seven and a half years of youth detention
after hiding a loaded pistol in a bedroom at his home in Peckham,
south London. He had agreed to look after two guns for friends. The
gun was discovered when police raided the home in March 2010. He was
found guilty of having a prohibited weapon and having a gun with
ammunition to endanger life.
Daily Mail,
15 September 2010
A sailor
has apparently shot himself dead on board a Royal Navy warship moored in
Portsmouth. He is believed to have got a rifle from the ship's
weapon stores. His best friend shot himself at Faslane nuclear
submarine base in February 2010 (see
Incidents). The death is not
being treated as suspicious.
BBC,
15 September 2010
Armed
police were called out after a woman in Lincoln said she received
a text message which contained a threat to shoot her. A man was
arrested a few hours later.
This
is Local London,
14 September 2010
Fabio
Costa, 19, and Kevin Dixon, both from Kennington, south London,
beat and robbed taxi drivers and have been sentenced to 10 years after
being found guilty of robbery and possession of an
imitation firearm. During one
robbery they placed a gun to a driver's head. The robberies began in
November 2008 and ended in June 2009.
Telegraph & Argus,
14 September 2010
A
15-year-old girl needed hospital treatment after being shot in the back
with an air rifle on fields in
Buttershaw, Bradford. A 17-year-old youth has been arrested on
suspicion of assault.
Wigan Today,
13 September 2010
Three
men broke into a house in Winstanley, Greater Manchester, and hit
a young woman over the head with the butt of a pistol. Her dog attacked
one of the intruders and chased the gang away, despite being clubbed
several times.
This
is Gloucestershire,
13 September 2010
Armed
police were sent to a street in Brockworth, Gloucestershire,
after reports of three men firing guns at each other. On arrival the
police discovered the weapons were BB guns,
a replica Glock and a replica shotgun. The men were issued some "words
of advice" and handed over the guns which were destroyed.
Liverpool Echo,
13 September 2010
A man
arrested after he found a gun outside his home in Toxteth,
Liverpool, has had all charges against him dropped. The weapon was in
his son's taxi which had been broken into and someone had tried to set
fire to it.
Gazette & Herald,
13 September 2010 *
A man
faces a charge of possessing a 9mm handgun in Chippenham,
Wiltshire, in August 2010. He has pleaded not guilty to one charge of
possessing a prohibited firearm (This is Wiltshire, 9 November
2010).
Evening Telegraph
(Peterborough),
13 September 2010
A woman
was shot in the leg while walking along a street in Millfield,
Peterborough. She was left on the ground in agony when she was hit by
what is believed to have been a BB gun.
Chelmsford Weekly News,
13 September 2010
A man
told staff at a garage at Boreham, Essex, that he had a gun and
forced them to open the safe. He sprayed them in the face with an
unknown substance and left with thousands of pounds.
Burnham-on-Sea.com,
13 September 2010
A man
was arrested after he threatened to set off a bomb outside the police
station in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset. The man had handed a
BB gun to two PCSOs in the centre of the town a short time
earlier. He then phoned the police claiming the gun had been taken from
him and threatened to kill five police officers. He has been charged
with attempted arson with intent to endanger life.
Birmingham Mail,
13 September 2010 *
A man
was found with gunshot and stab wounds in a park in Birmingham.
He was in hospital in a critical but stable condition. The victim was a
security guard at a funfair. A man has been charged with attempted
murder (BBC, 5 October 2010).
BBC,
13 September 2010
A man
threatened staff at a shop in Rugby, Warwickshire, with what is
thought to have been a shotgun.
He demanded they open the till and stole money before escaping in a van.
BBC,
13 September 2010
A
stun gun and an
air pistol were found when police
carried out a drugs raid in Blackpool, Lancashire. Three men
were arrested and bailed.
BBC,
13 September 2010
A gang
who pelted a house in Toxteth, Liverpool, with eggs returned
after 20 minutes and opened fire from the street with a
shotgun. A 14-year-old was
barricading the front door when shots were fired through a window.
BBC,
13 September 2010
A taxi
driver was shot at with an airgun
pellet as he drove his cab in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. The offside
rear window was damaged. Another taxi driver has apparently been fired
at (Grimsby Telegraph, 14 September 2010).
Press Association,
12 September 2010 *
A man
was shot dead at a flat in West Norwood, south London. The
victim was discovered with serious injuries and pronounced dead at the
scene. The murder weapon was a Webley Mark 6 revolver made around 1924
which had been fired during an incident in Brixton three days
later and found the following day (Daily Mail, 26 January 2011).
Evening Courier,
12 September 2010
A man
shouted "shoot me" at two armed police officers and then tried to reach
for the pistol of one of the officers before being shot in the chest and
arm by the other officer. Bartholomew Buckley had argued with his then
girlfriend at a house in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, when the she
called the police. He has been given a nine-month suspended sentence
for affray and a suspended one-month sentence for common assault and
been made subject to a supervision order.
The
Sentinel,
11 September 2010
Matthew
Allcock, 19, from Meir, Staffordshire, has pleaded guilty to
affray and having a knife. He terrified his ex-partner by shooting an
air rifle in her home. He shot at
one of her son's toy cars. He had drunk excessively before the
incident. He was sentenced to six months' detention, suspended for two
years with 12 months' supervision and 180 hours' unpaid work.
Coventry Telegraph,
11 September 2010
Anthony
Flamson was discovered with a stun gun
disguised as a torch when police found drugs at his house in
Holbrooks, Coventry. He pleaded guilty to one count of possessing
drugs with intent to supply and another count of possessing a stun gun.
He received a 42 month prison sentence.
BBC,
11 September 2010
Three
men threatened a member of staff with what has been described as a
Taser device when they robbed a
store in Luton, Bedfordshire. Two men have been arrested.
Dorset Echo,
10 September 2010
Three
men have been arrested by police investigating a burglary in which it is
alleged a Land Rover, shotguns
and ammunition were stolen in Chapelhay, Dorset. Shotguns and
ammunition were recovered from a barn in Wyke Regis where the suspects
were disturbed.
Chester Chronicle,
10 September 2010
A man
was arrested after a stun gun
was found at a house in Blacon, Cheshire. Police officers also
found what is believed to be counterfeit money.
BBC,
10 September 2010
A man
was admitted to hospital with serious bullet wounds after being shot.
It is believed he was at a party at a pub in Smethwick, West
Midlands, before going to hospital.
This
is Total Essex,
9 September 2010
A man
opened fire with a double-barrelled shotgun following a fight in a street in
Chelmsford, Essex. His actions were caught on CCTV. No-one was
injured.
Newmarket Journal,
9 September 2010
A gang
attempted to raid a gun shop in Newmarket, Suffolk. The door was
forced open but nothing was stolen. Two or three people were spotted
running away.
Daily Mail,
9 September 2010 *
A man
has denied the attempted murder of his ex-wife who was shot three times
in the head in a street in Finchley, north London, in February
2010. The victim survived but was left with severe brain damage. The
attack took place the day they were due in court to divide their
assets. The man also denies possessing a firearm with intent to
endanger life. Ronald Seymour has been found guilty of attempted
murder. He had claimed that he bought the revolver to kill himself and
did not know how it had gone off. It is reported that he feared that
the victim would "take everything" in a financial settlement (BBC,
15 September 2010). He had pleaded guilty to having a prohibited weapon
with ammunition and not having a certificate for it (Independent,
15 September 2010). He has been jailed indefinitely, with a minimum
term of 12-and-a-half years (BBC, 27 October 2010).
Coventry Telegraph,
9 September 2010
A father
and son were threatened with a sawn-off
shotgun in a raid on their home in Dunchurch,
Warwickshire. A man forced his way inside their house, tied up the two
victims and stole cash.
The
Star,
8 September 2010
A man
brandishing a handgun entered a post office in Royston, South
Yorkshire, and demanded cash. He fled empty handed when he realised the
police had been tipped off.
Nottingham Post,
8 September 2010
Two men,
one armed with a handgun, tried to rob a store in Arnold,
Nottingham. They left empty handed.
Haringey Independent,
8 September 2010 *
Aron
Thomas shot a passer-by when he opened fired with a 9mm handgun eight
times in a street in Wood Green, north London, in February 2010.
His victim was hit once in the lower leg but the injury was not
life-threatening. Other members of the public had to dive for cover.
Thomas pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent and one
firearms charge. He has been jailed for 11 years (Haringey
Independent, 14 October 2010).
BBC,
8 September 2010
A woman
found shotgun barrels, cyanide
and a silencer at her allotment plot in Liverpool. The
discoveries were made on separate occasions. A man has been arrested
over the firearms find. The man from Aigburth, who was an
allotment owner, was originally arrested in July 2010 but his neighbours
had to be evacuated from their flats after a scare which included
calling out the bomb squad (Liverpool Echo, 9 September 2010).
Worcester News,
7 September 2010 *
Police
have seized an arsenal of guns, grenades and ammunition from a home in
Worcester. A man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an
illegal firearm. More than 30 guns, including rifles and shotguns and a
gun cabinet were removed from the house. It is reported that the man is
the chairman of a local gun club (Worcester News, 8 September
2010). He has been charged with possessing a pump action or
self-loading rifle, ammunition for a firearm without a certificate and
two counts of failing to comply with the conditions of his firearms
certificate (Worcester News, 28 March 2011).
Worcester News,
7 September 2010 *
Two men
are on trial accused of raping a woman in a flat in Worcester in
July 2008. They both deny the charge and one of them also denies
possession of an imitation firearm
at the time of committing a rape offence. It is alleged that one of the
accused pointed a pistol at her and also threatened to shoot another
woman and her child. Anthony Nurse was found guilty of both offences.
The other man was found not guilty of rape (The Shuttle, 14
September 2010). Nurse was jailed for 10 years (Worcester Standard,
1 December 2010).
Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard,
7 September 2010
Armed
police were called to a street in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, in
response to reports to a gun being waved out of a window. A 16-year-old
was arrested and questioned and a BB gun
was confiscated.
Haringey Independent,
7 September 2010
Three
people pleaded guilty to an armed robbery at a pub in Hampstead,
north London, in March 2010 where the owners were beaten with
imitation firearms and golf clubs.
Alexander Jovanovic (also known as Steven Squires) was jailed for eight
years and his sister Amy Squires for four years. Ashley McFarland who
admitted a string of robberies was jailed for 12 years.
Cambridge News,
7 September 2010
A man
has appeared in court accused of brandishing an
imitation firearm and committing
robberies in a park in Cambridge. He was also charged with
possession of a knife and cannabis. Lee McKillop has pleaded guilty to
seven charges including possessing an imitation firearm. He will be
sentenced later in the year (Cambridge News, 10 September 2010).
BBC,
7 September 2010
One of
three men who threatened staff at a jewellers in Shelton,
Stoke-on-Trent, appeared to be armed with what was described as a
firearm. The weapon was not discharged. Sledgehammers were used to
cause damage to the premises. Gold jewellery was stolen.
BBC,
7 September 2010
An
18-year-old man died after suffering a gunshot wound in Peckham,
south London. Two men were arrested near the scene. A third man has
been arrested in connection with the shooting (BBC, 8 September
2010). The victim was at a shrine to a friend who had been killed hours
earlier in a motor-cycle crash. It has been reported that the friend
had been involved in a shooting an hour before his death. Shots had
been heard and shell casings found (Evening Standard, 10
September 2010). There were two other shootings on the same estate in
the same week. A man was seen opening fire three days later and two
days after that a man was shot in the neck with a
shotgun (South London Press,
30 September 2010).
Telegraph & Argus,
6 September 2010
A
cashier was injured during an armed robbery at a petrol station in
Bradford. He was struck on the head with what is believed to be a
handgun after he was threatened by two men.
Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News,
6 September 2010
A store
in Widnes, Cheshire, was targeted by two men, armed with a plank
of wood and a handgun. They tied up two contractors, who were working
at the side of the store, and the store manager who managed to call
radio help. The men stole cash and escaped in the manager's car.
Lancashire Telegraph,
6 September 2010
A
shopkeeper in Chorley, Lancashire, was threatened by a man with a
handgun who demanded that he open the till. The shopkeeper refused and
the man ran out empty-handed. A teenager has been arrested (Chorley
Guardian, 13 September 2010).
Evening Chronicle,
6 September 2010
A
stun gun, CS gas spray and animal
pornography were found at the home of Jeffery Gray in Newcastle upon
Tyne. He claimed he had been given the weapons by a friend. He was
given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for two years for the weapon
charges and seven days for the pornography to run concurrently.
BBC,
6 September 2010
Two men
were injured in a double shooting in Washington, County Durham.
Police have confirmed that they were deliberately targeted and that the
shootings involved people who "knew each other". A man was arrested on
suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm. One of the
victims was released from hospital and the second is in a stable
condition. A further four men have been arrested on suspicion of
grievous bodily harm (The Journal, 9 September 2010).
North Yorkshire Police,
5 September 2010
An
air rifle was one of the items stolen
by thieves who broke into a property in Harrogate, North
Yorkshire. They also stole a car after taking the keys and the vehicle
was later found abandoned. A teenager has been arrested.
BBC,
5 September 2010
A man
armed with a gun threatened staff at an off-licence in Sefton,
Merseyside. He demanded they hand over cash and cigarettes.
Daily Echo,
4 September 2010
Two men
involved in an armed raid on a snooker club in Boscombe, Dorset,
in October 2008 have been refused permission to appeal against their
convictions and sentences. Billy Grogan is currently serving a 15-year
sentence and Alex Calderwood seven years. Two other men, Martin Trent
and Martin Willis, had admitted their involvement in the robbery during
which they were armed with a loaded gun and hammer. A shot was fired
during the incident. Trent was jailed indefinitely with a minimum
sentence of four years and 55 days and Willis was jailed for nine years.
Lincolnshire Echo,
3 September 2010
Armed
police swooped on a street in Lincoln following reports of a man
with a gun. When officers gained entry to a property they found it was
empty. No arrests were made.
Lancashire Telegraph,
3 September 2010
Police
are concerned that three shotguns
and an air rifle stolen during a
break-in at a farmhouse near Mellor, Lancashire, could be in the
hands of underworld criminals. The thieves also stole a car which was
found burnt out in Manchester.
Evening News
(Norwich),
3 September 2010
Peter
Bromley had a Taser gun in his
taxi while parked at the railway station in Norwich. He has
admitted a charge of possessing a prohibited weapon. It was claimed
that the weapon had been left in the taxi and he had kept it to use its
torch function. He was given a suspended four month prison sentence and
ordered to do 120 hours' unpaid work.
BBC,
3 September 2010 *
Terry
Bryant has admitted offences including rape, kidnapping and sexual
assault as well as admitting making threats to kill and possessing a
firearm. He was responsible for attacks on three girls in Bracknell,
Berkshire, in May and November 2009. One victim was driven to Bryant's
converted home and was shown a gun and an air
pistol. He has been jailed indefinitely (BBC, 15
October 2010).
Keighley News,
2 September 2010
Andrew
McKell from Oxenhope, West Yorkshire, has been jailed for six
months for breaching a restraining order after a relationship ended. He
also admitted possessing an air rifle
without a certificate for which he was given a six month sentence which
will run concurrently.
Derbyshire Times,
2 September 2010
A man
was shot in the stomach with an air rifle
while he was standing on the balcony of his flat in Chesterfield,
Derbyshire. He did not require hospital treatment.
Birmingham Mail,
2 September 2010
Four men
are facing firearms charges after police swooped on a car during the
carnival in Notting Hill, west London. A Baikal pistol and
ammunition were found in the car.
BBC,
2 September 2010
A
BB gun was recovered when police
raided a property in Yate, Gloucestershire, where they found
cannabis plants and hydroponic equipment. A man was arrested.
BBC,
2 September 2010
A woman
was robbed at gunpoint on a street in Netherfield, Nottingham.
She was threatened by two men who stole her handbag which contained a
significant amount of money. A man has been charged with robbery,
possession of a firearm and production of cannabis.
The
Gazette,
1 September 2010
A man
told police he had been shot in the face and body with a
pellet gun during an incident in
Blackpool, Lancashire. Police in riot gear surrounded flats after a
man was heard shouting that a gunman was in the building. His injuries
were consistent with a pellet gun.
Evening Post
(Bristol),
1 September 2010
Darren
Blagrove from Bristol has been jailed for five years for
possessing a sawn-off shotgun.
The weapon was found in a communal shed. He had a previous conviction
for manslaughter.
BBC,
1 September 2010
Yohan
Clarke has admitted conspiracy to rob, possessing a firearm and grievous
bodily harm with intent. He was one of five men who raided a store in
Croydon, south London, in September 2009 (see
Incidents). He has been jailed
for a minimum of 10 years and 60 days. His brother Yamani Clarke was
jailed for 40 months after admitting handling stolen goods.
SCOTLAND
Paisley Daily Express,
30 September 2010
James
Murphy pulled out a gun and warned his estranged wife "Your days are
numbered" outside the former marital home in Paisley in June
2010. The weapon was a Russian air pistol
capable of firing ball-bearings. He has admitted charges of
assault, possession of a firearm and breach of the peace.
Hawick News,
30 September 2010
A front
door of a home in Silverbuthall, Hawick, was shattered in a
suspected airgun incident.
Daily Record,
29 September 2010
A
14-year-old boy brandishing an air rifle
tried to rob a shop in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, at gunpoint in April
2010 when he had taken alcohol and valium. He demanded cash but a shop
worker pushed the weapon away. The youth, now aged 15, admitted charges
of attempted robbery and possession of a firearm in a public place. He
will be sentenced next month.
Evening News,
28 September 2010
Robbie
Morrison, a soldier, has pleaded guilty to being in possession of an
imitation firearm after stealing
whisky and vodka from a van in Oxgangs, Edinburgh, in December
2009. He also pleaded guilty to stealing the drink. He has been placed
on probation for 18 months (Evening News, 29 September 2010).
stv,
27 September 2010
A couple
entered a store in Edinburgh and demanded money and cigarettes as
the man presented a small handgun at the assistant. The assistant
refused and was punched in the face. The offenders made off with a
second man.
Telegraph,
26 September 2010
The
Queen's top bodyguard was suspended when his handgun accidentally fired
in Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh. He was not harmed and he was alone
and off-duty at the time. He was removed from firearms duty but has
since been reinstated after undergoing retraining in the safe handling
of firearms.
Scotsman,
24 September 2010
Two
pupils have been disciplined after two shooting incidents involving
ball-bearing guns at a secondary
school in Jedburgh, Scottish Borders. In one incident pellets
were fired at a teacher and two days later a student was charged with
two minor assaults after shooting at two pupils.
Daily Record,
24 September 2010 *
In March
2010 David Wright confronted a couple in a car in Hamilton,
Lanarkshire, clutching what appeared to be a handgun, ordered them to
get out of the car and then stole the vehicle. In May 2010 he committed
a copycat robbery in Millerston, Glasgow. He was under the
influence of drink or drugs. He claimed that the firearm was an
imitation. Wright has admitted both
offences and has been given a seven year jail sentence (stv, 29
October 2010).
The
Courier,
23 September 2010
A boy
from a high school in Dundee has been expelled after being found
with a BB gun during a field trip
to Iceland. The gun was smuggled through security checks at Glasgow
and Keflavik airport but later found by airport security officials.
Evening News,
22 September 2010
Gary
Holgate, 19, fired an air rifle in
a pub in Gorebridge, Mid Lothian, after being told he wasn't
allowed to bring the weapon into the bar. Holgate was trying to sell
the gun at the time and was drunk at the time of the incident in
February 2010. He has pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace for
firing the weapon and another charge of assault.
stv,
21 September 2010
A man
threatened a shopkeeper in Glasgow with what appeared to be a
toy gun and demanded money. The
shopkeeper refused to give him any cash and the suspect fled the scene
empty-handed.
BBC,
19 September 2010
A shot
was fired at a flat in Barmulloch, Glasgow. No-one was injured
but the property was damaged.
The
Courier,
15 September 2010
An
11-year-old girl was shot in the leg with a
pellet gun as she was walking home in Linlathen,
Tayside. She was approached by two boys are with pellet guns who shot
at her as she passed.
Paisley Daily Express,
14 September 2010 *
Jeremy
Curran has admitted being in possession of the
pump-action sawn-off shotgun that
was used to murder a teenager in Paisley in August 2007 (see
Incidents). He also pled guilty
to having no shotgun licence and to failing to appear for trial. One
man has previously been convicted for murder and a second for possession
of the gun (see
July 2009 Incidents). He has been
jailed for eight years (BBC, 21 October 2010).
stv,
13 September 2010 *
A man
was arrested after police officers entered premises in Glasgow
after a siege which followed reports of a disturbance. There were
reports of various weapons, including a handgun and magazine being
thrown out of the window of a flat. The weapon was a
ball-bearing gun and the man has
admitted assaulting his wife and police officers and breaching the peace
(see
December 2010 Incidents).
stv,
9 September 2010 *
Graeme
Crawford started firing at youngsters, aged between 14 and 15, who were
walking back to school in Pollok, Glasgow. One 15-year-old was
hit when he shot at them with an air pistol
in November 2009. Crawford admitted culpably and recklessly discharging
the gun, breaching the peace by shouting and swearing at the teenagers
and brandishing the gun at them. He has been placed on probation for
two years and ordered to perform 150 hours of community service. He has
also been banned from returning to his home from where he fired the
shots (BBC, 12 October 2010).
BBC,
8 September 2010 *
Christopher Bailiff and James MacPherson have pleaded guilty to
attempted murder. They admitted shooting a man who was attacked in the
hallway of his home in Pollok, Glasgow, in September 2009 (see
Incidents). Bailiff has been
jailed for 10 years, MacPherson for 13 years (BBC, 12 October
2010).
BBC,
7 September 2010
A man
was shot in Bridgeton, Glasgow. He was taken to hospital where
his condition was described as stable.
Press & Journal,
1 September 2010
Paul
Renshaw has pleaded guilty to brandishing an
air rifle in a store in Alness, Ross-shire, in July
2010 alarming customers and staff as well as causing fear and alarm to
others, and breaking of the peace. He also pleaded guilty to assaulting
a man. He had been drinking when he and two friends walked to the shop
where he brandished his air rifle. He was later seen bare-chested in
the streets still carrying the rifle. He has been jailed for 22 months.
WALES
South Wales Evening Post,
30 September 2010
An
11-year-old boy has been left with a swelling, painful red mark the size
of a tennis ball after being shot in the chest at point blank range with
a BB gun. The incident occurred
in the vicinity of the community centre in Gendros, Swansea. The
boy's father has expressed his anger at the culprit and is unhappy with
police for delaying their investigation.
BBC,
27 September 2010 *
Nathan
White and Carl Davies have admitted staging an armed robbery at a post
office in Cefn Mawr, Wrexham, in July 2010 (see
Incidents). They also pleaded
guilty to possessing a firearm, or imitation
firearm, with intent to commit robbery. Jimmy Pritchard has
also pleaded guilty to his involvement (BBC, 26 November 2010).
White and Davies were jailed for seven years and Pritchard for five
years (BBC, 10 December 2010).
BBC,
26 September 2010
A man
has been arrested and a firearm recovered from an address in Llanfair
PG, Anglesey, after police were called to an incident. The man was
described as being in a distressed state. No members of the public were
at risk at any time. The man has now been charged with possessing a
firearm with intent to endanger life (BBC, 27 September 2010).
Caernarfon Herald,
23 September 2010
There
have been problems with "alcohol related disorder" within Caernarfon
town centre which have resulted in eight arrests for public order
offences to possession of an air weapon.
Wales Online,
22 September 2010 *
A
teacher has apparently been shot by a pupil at a school in
Ystradgynlais, Powys. The weapon was a pellet gun. A 13-year-old
boy is being questioned by the police. It is reported that police
recovered an array of weapons from a property, including guns and
crossbows (This is South Wales, 23 September 2010). The gun was
an air pistol. The boy has
pleaded guilty to an ABH charge and to possessing a firearm with intent
to cause fear of violence (see
October 2010 Incidents).
Cynon Valley Leader,
16 September 2010 *
A
replica handgun thought to have been
used in a robbery at a betting shop in Trecynon, Mid Glamorgan,
has been recovered by police. A man had entered the premises and
demanded cash from staff. A man has admitted the robbery and been
jailed for five and a half years (see
October 2010 Incidents).
INCIDENTS INVOLVING ANIMALS
Cynon Valley Leader
30 September 2010 *
A cat
was shot in the neck and killed just yards from a playground in
Abercwmboi, Mid Glamorgan. His body was found by a little girl. A
pellet, apparently from an airgun, was embedded.
Kent
Online,
30 September 2010
A man is
due in court after he allegedly shot and killed a rare variety of
herring gull nesting on his neighbour's roof in Lydd-on-Sea,
Kent. He was charged with shooting a wild bird and firing an
air weapon beyond the boundary of his
premises.
Daily Gazette,
29 September 2010
A cat
had to be put down after being shot in the head with an
air rifle in Braintree,
Essex. The pet suffered brain damage.
Buckinghamshire Advertiser,
29 September 2010
Two
kestrels have been found shot dead in Chalfont St Peter,
Buckinghamshire, in the space of two days. The birds were both found in
playing fields and had been shot by an air rifle.
The
Leader,
28 September 2010
The
bodies of three foxes, two adults and a younger animal, were found
dumped in a supermarket car park in Wrexham. It appears they all
died from gunshot wounds. A post mortem examination has shown that they
were shot with soft nosed bullets which expand and splinter on impact
and are primarily intended for killing large animals. A high-powered
rifle would have been used (The Leader, 29 September 2010).
Henley Standard,
27 September 2010
A family
cat has been left blind in one eye and narrowly escaped brain damage
after being shot between the eyes with an air
rifle in Goring, Oxfordshire. The attack took place
in August. A pellet lodged next to his brain and cannot be removed.
Rutland and Stamford Mercury,
24 September 2010
A cat
has been shot dead in Bourne, Lincolnshire. He was found in his
owner's garden. An X-ray showed he had been shot with an
airgun.
Daily Post,
24 September 2010
A cat
has had his leg amputated after he was shot in an
airgun attack in Caernarfon.
He was found by his owner lying under a neighbour's hedge. An X-ray
showed a pellet had shattered his right thigh.
North London Today,
22 September 2010
The RSPB
has reported that a young hobby was shot and killed in Enfield,
North London, last year. Hobbies are quite rare and the bird was shot
by licensed gun holders who were in the area specifically to hunt the
breed. It was the only case of a protected bird being shot in London
last year.
The
Reporter
(St
Helens),
20 September 2010 *
Ian
Knowles was seen firing air rifle
pellets at ducks in a park in St Helens, Merseyside, in August
2010. When police were called to the scene he hurled the weapon into
the middle of the pond. The court heard that the pellets could easily
have ricocheted and hit a passer-by. Knowles was given a suspended
two-month jail sentence and order to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
He has since been jailed for failing to comply with the supervision
order (St Helens Star, 16 November 2010).
BBC,
18 September 2010
More
than 20 starlings, crows, pigeons and sparrows have been found injured
or dead in an area of Peterlee, County Durham. The wounds to
wings, heads and bodies were caused by airgun
pellets.
BBC,
17 September 2010 *
A
buzzard has been found with shotgun
wounds and two pellets lodged in its leg on land at Dallow, North
Yorkshire. The bird recovered and was returned to the wild (The
Press, 20 October 2010).
Herald Express,
15 September 2010
A cat
had to undergo life-saving surgery after being shot by a pellet from an
air rifle in Paignton,
Devon, and the shot sent her racing into oncoming traffic. In a
separate incident in August 2010 a cat was hit by an airgun pellet
whilst out and about near her home in Newton Abbot. The pellet
lodged behind her ribs and had grazed her liver.
Manchester Evening News,
10 September 2010 *
Christopher Gallier from Coldhurst, Greater Manchester, shot his
pet dog with air rifle pellets in
his own home. Although he first claimed the wound was caused by glass,
an X-ray revealed a pellet deep in the dog's neck muscles. He
eventually admitting responsibility for shooting the dog, failing to get
it veterinary treatment and another offence related to keeping dogs. He
has been banned from keeping animals for life, given a suspended two
month prison sentence and must complete a probation programme. The
weapon will be destroyed (Manchester Evening News, 14 October
2010).
BBC,
10 September 2010
A red
kite reintroduced into Cumbria has been found shot dead in Artengill
in Dentdale. It had been shot four times in the chest.
Leicester Mercury,
9 September 2010
A cat is
recovering after being shot with an air
weapon. The cat from Ryhall, Rutland, was shot in the
rear left leg. Her owner's other cat was also shot earlier this year.
BBC,
9 September 2010
A deer
was found shot dead in a deer park at Sandyhills, Dumfries and
Galloway. Police have appealed for witnesses.
Daily Post,
7 September 2010
A kitten
was fatally wounded when it was shot in the side of the head in Cwm y
Glo, Gwynedd. The weapon was an air
rifle (North Wales Chronicle, 9 September 2010).
stv,
6 September 2010
A pet
cat has been left with a pellet lodged in her neck after being shot
between the eyes with an air rifle
in Dundee. Her owner was forced to search for her after she
discovered blood across the cat flap at her home. The SSPCA have
investigated a total of 18 airgun attacks in Scotland so far this year (Scotsman,
14 September 2010).
BBC,
5 September 2010
A cat
found slumped on the ground in Llanfynydd, Flintshire, had been
shot at close range, probably with an air
rifle. He has been left blind in one eye and his owners face
a £750 vets bills (The Leader, 13 September 2010).
Daily Post,
4 September 2010
In two
incidents in North Wales 14 lambs have been shot with an
airgun, and three miles away a pony
was killed when it was shot. The lambs were shot and wounded near
Corwen and would have died "long lingering" deaths. The Shetland
pony was shot in a field near Ruthin.
Burton Mail,
4 September 2010
When a
cat owner from Hilton, Derbyshire, took her cat to the vet he was
found to have an airgun pellet
lodged in his chest. A reward of £50 has been offered for information
leading to a conviction.
BBC,
3 September 2010
A kitten
has been shot twice with an airgun
in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. It is believed that the
incident happened when he was in the garden of his home. He was shot
once in the shoulder and once in the left leg.
