NOVEMBER
2011
Sentences and Convictions
GCN compiles
an on-going list of incidents involving guns. In this section
are sentences and convictions for court rulings made this month.
We know that our information
is incomplete. The number of incidents in our lists is between 10
and 15 percent of the total number of firearms offences recorded in Home
Office and Scottish Government figures, though we believe nearly all of
the most serious crimes are being included. Your help in collecting more
information would be greatly appreciated. If you have any information
about an incident please contact us by email
contact@gun-control-network.org.
Please see
our explanation of
why we
highlight incidents involving air weapons.
ENGLAND
The Sentinel,
30 November 2011
Five men
were convicted of conspiring to murder a restaurant owner in Normacot,
Staffordshire. Omran Rashid, Wassab Khan, Abdul Jabbar, Faisal Saraj and
Abdul Maroof, all Birmingham residents between 19 and 34, were
responsible for the victim being shot outside his home in June 2010. He
required six operations but survived the incident.
Telegraph and Argus,
30 November 2011
Jahanzeb
Ismail has been jailed for five and a half years after attempting to rob
a petrol station in Bradford. Ismail used part of a vacuum
cleaner as a replica firearm,
attempting to hold up the cashier. However, his victim -- who believed
he was under threat of a firearm -- activated his panic button and
Ismail fled emtpy-handed. Ismail, who had apparently been under the
influence of alcohol and drugs during the attempted robbery, was also
jailed for seven years in 1999 for manslaughter after he accidentally
shot and killed a woman with a handgun.
Birmingham Mail,
30 November 2011
Four men
have been jailed for carrying out a violent robbery in Stafford.
Alexander Ponsonby, 21, was found guilty of conspiracy to rob,
possessing a firearm, causing grievous bodily harm and attempted kidnap,
and he was jailed for 16 years. Daniel Martin was handed six years for
conspiracy to rob and possessing a firearm, while brothers Andrew
McMullan and Sam McMullan were given six years and five years,
respectively. The gang attacked a business owner in October 2009,
cutting his legs with a knife and striking him with a hammer before
shooting him in the thigh and buttocks with a
shotgun. The victim was hospitalised but survived the
assault.
Worcester News,
30 November 2011
Waheed
Zaman and Damien Atkinson have been jailed for eight years each after
they were among six armed men who robbed a supermarket in Droitwich,
Worcestershire. Three of the remaining four gang members had already
been jailed, but the sixth wasn't found and the weapons used in the
crime were not reported. Zaman had 14 previous offences and had been
jailed for six and a half years in 2001 for attempted robbery and
possession of an imitation firearm;
Atkinson had 50 prior convictions and had been sentenced to five and a
half years in 2003 for armed robbery.
Telegraph and Argus,
30 November 2011
Mohammed
Kershid has been jailed for nine years after being caught trying to deal
drugs and firearms to undercover police in Bradford. Kershid told
officers he could get them cocaine and cannabis from outside of the
country and also offered to get one of them a firearm.
Dudley News,
30 November 2011
Dion
Bricknell, 19, was handed a community order after being caught with a
loaded gun in Dudley. The teenager, who was reportedly arrested
in possession of a firearm and ammunition, was given a six-month order.
Kingston Guardian,
29 November 2011
Daniel
Young has been jailed for six years for possessing a loaded handgun in
Kingston. Young reportedly had been paranoid about his own safety
and had bought the gun for his protection. Police arrested him in August
when they raided his home and recovered the pistol and ammunition.
Metro,
29 November 2011
Derek
Smith has been jailed for two years after attempting to rob a restaurant
in Romford, Essex. Smith, a former Financial Times IT worker,
apparently took cocaine and prescription drugs before raiding the
establishment with a replica gun
taken from a PlayStation game. The restaurant manager pinned him to the
floor when the incident took place and no one was harmed.
Evening Standard,
28 November 2011
David Cain
has been jailed for five years after attempting an armed robbery in
South Hampstead, north London. Cain attacked a shop worker and
brandished an imitation pistol and
knife, but was fought back by the victim and two colleagues who rushed
in to help. Police then arrived and detained Cain, who had apparently
drank and taken cocaine prior to the incident.
Daily Echo,
28 November 2011
Paul
Maxwell has been given an 18-month community order after police
recovered a stun gun and drugs. He
pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited weapon, cultivating cannabis
and possessing cannabis, and was also fined
£700.
Dewsbury Reporter,
26 November 2011
Four men
have been jailed in Teeside for selling drugs. In addition to
recovering a large amount of cannabis, police found a
stun gun and rifle bullets during
their investigation. Two men were charged related to the firearms, as
Jabar Hyder and Akhlaq Khan admitted possessing the stun gun and Hyder
also admitted possessing the rifle ammunition. Hyder was sentenced to
four years and Khan was jailed for a year.
Shropshire Star,
26 November 2011
Shakeel
and Abzul Khan have been jailed for six years and eight months each
after carrying out a drive-by shooting in Telford. They each
admitted conspiracy to possess a firearm intending to endanger life
after shooting into a home in March as a family took cover.
News and Star,
26 November 2011
Michael
Celmins has been jailed for one year and eight months for possessing a
stun gun and possessing cannabis
with intent to supply in Carlisle. Celmins escaped the standard
minimum sentence of five years for illegally possessing the firearm due
to 'exceptional' circumstances since he inherited the weapon from his
deceased brother.
Shropshire Star,
26 November 2011
Mark
Sheriden, who threatened to shoot police officers during a standoff in
Ellesmere, Shropshire, has been jailed indefinitely. He will
serve a minimum of three years after admitting possession of a firearm
with intent to cause fear of violence and possession of a prohibited
weapon.
Boston Standard,
25 November 2011
Jacek
Piwowarski has been jailed for two years after threatening to shoot his
ex-wife and possessing a loaded shotgun
in Lincolnshire. Piwowarski admitted assault,
possessing a loaded shotgun in a public place and breaching his shotgun
licence. He reportedly grabbed his ex-wife, leaving red marks on her
arms, and told her he would 'shoot her head off'.
Falmouth Packet,
25 November 2011
Dylan
Wilkes has been found guilty of assaulting his former partner in
Cornwall. Wilkes had been on the run for several weeks, and armed
police pursued him under the belief he may have had a firearm. Wilkes,
who admitted punching his former partner in the face and is alleged to
have attacked her further, was caught in the water trying to swim to
safety.
Staffs Live,
25 November 2011
Four men
have been jailed for carrying out an armed robbery in Staffordshire.
The group attacked a business owner by cutting his legs with a knife and
attacking him with a hammer and baseball bat. Then they shot him in his
thigh and buttocks before leaving with cash. Alexander Ponsonby, 21, was
jailed for 16 years after being convicted of possessing a firearm,
causing grievous bodily harm, conspiracy to rob and attempted kidnap.
Daniel Martin was also convicted for possessing a firearm and received
six years, while Andrew and Sam McMullan were jailed for six and five
years each for their involvement.
Telegraph,
25 November 2011
A
14-year-old boy who was caught with two handguns and live ammunition has
been sentenced to a youth rehabilitation programme. The boy was caught
with the weapons and ammunition at his home in Manor Park, east
London. The crimes he admitted to -- possessing prohibited firearms and
possessing ammunition without a licence -- are punishable by three to
ten years in jail for individuals aged 16 or older.
Northwest Evening Mail,
25 November 2011
Ryan
Cummings has been ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid community work after
possessing a loaded shotgun in a
public place in Millom, Cumbria. Cummings drove away from a
shooting range with the weapon on his car roof. Police recovered it on
the side of the road after Cummings alerted them. His shotgun licence
has now been revoked.
Sutton Guardian,
25 November 2011
Simon Tate
has been found guilty of possessing two stun
guns and a bladed weapon in Sutton. Police recovered
the illegal weapons in a search of his car in May.
Express and Star,
24 November 2011
Kurtis
Richards, 18, and a 17-year-old have been jailed for six and a half
years and six years, respectively, after an attempted robbery. The
teenagers sprayed a woman in the face with pepper spray in Streetly,
Staffordshire and tried to steal her car. They ran away as her family
came outside to help her and were eventually captured by police.
Rail News,
24 November 2011
Two young
men aged 16 and 17 were found guilty of attempted murder after they shot
a man in Brent, northwest London. The victim was shot in the back
as he fled from the assailants at a tube station, and he was treated for
his injuries in hospital. Two other 17-year-olds, one male and one
female, were with the group and they were found guilty of possession of
a firearm in a public place to enable another to cause fear of unlawful
violence. The girl was also found guilty of perverting the course of
justice. All will be sentenced in the new year.
The Journal,
24 November 2011
John
Buckley has been jailed for four years after carrying out an armed
robbery in Sunderland. He threatened staff at a corner shop with
a handgun but was foiled as they wrestled it away from him when a
customer realised the weapon was an imitation
firearm.
Coventry Telegraph,
24 November 2011
Anthony
Cronin has been jailed for eight months on a suspended sentence after
threatening to shoot a dog with an imitation
firearm in Leamington, Warwickshire. Cronin pointed an
imitation rifle out of his flat window at a dog's owner and threatened
to kill the barking animal. Cronin, who was reportedly drunk at the
time, was originally charged with possessing an imitation firearm with
intent to cause fear of violence. However, he was found guilty of the
lesser charge of affray, adding to his record which includes a previous
conviction for threatening behaviour.
The Week,
23 November 2011
A family
of drug dealers has been jailed in Liverpool, with 13 individuals
sentenced to a combined 82 years in prison. Police recovered a loaded
assault rifle that had been stolen from an army base in Salisbury
as well as body armour and CS gas.
Express and Star,
23 November 2011
Christopher Samuels, 18, has been jailed for six years for holding up a
customer he made an agreement with on ebay. Samuels, who was on bail for
another robbery at the time, used the auction site to lure a man into an
isolated car park in West Bromwich and then threatened him with a
handgun. Two men who were with Samuels then beat the victim up and stole
money and gold from him, before the three attackers fled. Samuels
admitted robbery and possession of an imitation
firearm.
Yorkshire Evening Post,
23 November 2011
Michael
Robinson, 22, who has a firearms offence on his record, has been jailed
for six months after beating up another man in Leeds. Robinson
attacked and threatened a father, mother and son, pleading guilty to two
counts of assault. He previously was convicted for firing an
imitation firearm, a BB gun, at a
cyclist.
York Press,
23 November 2011
Alan Bell,
23, has been jailed indefinitely after he and Kieran Agnew, 21,
attempted to rob a man in York. Bell's criminal record began when
he held up a restaurant with an imitation
firearm when he was just 13. Then at age 17 he attacked a
resident who let him stay the night by slashing the victim with a knife.
Weeks after his release from that attack, he tried to rob the man in
York as he smashed a beer bottle over his head. Bell was given an
indefinite sentence for public protection and his co-conspirator in the
recent attempted robbery, Agnew, was jailed for five years.
Bolton News,
23 November 2011
Ryan Ward,
23, has been jailed for five years and four months while Josef Louthan,
22, was sentenced to four years and eight months for their involvement
in a shooting in Openshaw, Manchester. The men pulled up outside
a family's home and fired a sawn-off shotgun
through the front window. Both men pleaded guilty to
possession of a firearm with intent to cause alarm, harassment or
distress.
Northampton Chronicle,
22 November 2011
Martin
Olali has been jailed for seven and a half years for possessing a loaded
handgun in Northampton. He had attempted to appeal the
convictions after an earlier trial, but a court rejected the appeal.
Wandsworth Guardian,
21 November 2011
Michael
Francis-Dwyer has been jailed for 11 years after carrying out six armed
robberies in west and south London. Francis-Dwyer was part of a
group that threatened staff at five pubs and a store with a gun,
stealing cash each time. Police caught him after they spotted his
firearm during a routine stop and search, identifying the weapon as
similar to the one used in the robberies.
Worcester News,
21 November 2011
Richard
Hill has been jailed for five years for possessing a
sawn-off shotgun. Police recovered
the weapon from his home in Worcester, along with ammunition. As
he had cut the barrel of the weapon below the legal length of 60 cm, he
received the standard British prison sentence for illegal firearm
possession.
Liverpool Echo,
19 November 2011
Robert
Parran has been jailed for 15 and a half years for possessing guns and
drugs. Police raided Parran's home in Tuebrook, Liverpool and
discovered three handguns and an automatic assault rifle. The assault
rifle was fully loaded, as was a handgun Parran kept under his pillow.
Officers also recovered a 'massive stock' of ecstasy and heroin. Parran
admitted two counts of possessing firearms with intent to endanger, four
counts of possessing prohibited weapons, possession of ammunition and
possession of drugs with intent to supply.
Evening Gazette,
19 November 2011
Richard
Omar has been jailed for six years for trafficking drugs and firearm
ammunition. A member of a larger criminal network, Omar was arrested
when police invaded his home in Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees. They
recovered a large supply of cocaine as well as ammunition for two
different revolvers.
Evening Chronicle,
19 November 2011
Stephen
Rice, who shot and killed a man in 1995, has now been jailed for raping
a woman after beating her with a dumbbell bar in Newcastle. Rice
was freed after eight years following his manslaughter conviction, which
wasn't declared murder since he had first been fired upon in the
incident. He was then arrested again and jailed for six years for
distributing cocaine. Upon being released to the public a second time,
Rice targeted the woman in her home, attacking and raping her. He has
been sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Express and Star,
18 November 2011
Larry
Barnett, 25, Ashley Atkins, 25, and Luke Dawes, 19, have been found
guilty of carrying out a pair of armed robberies in the West Midlands.
Threatening their victims with a shotgun
and a taser gun, the men stole cars
and other items from two homes and were convicted of charges including
possessing a shotgun and taser gun, conspiracy to commit armed robberies
and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear or alarm.
Liverpool Echo,
18 November 2011
Thomas
O'Brien, 21, has been jailed for four years and two months for
possession of a shotgun and
ammunition, as well as possessing drugs with intent to supply. O'Brien
was found lying in a park in Seaforth, Liverpool in June
after being shot three times. Police then went to his home and
discovered a loaded shotgun and a large amount of cannabis.
Chester Chronicle,
17 November 2011
Scott
Davidson, 23, has been found guilty of murder. Davidson shot and killed
a man in Chester with his father's
shotgun in March. The victim was apparently a debt collector
that Davidson couldn't pay back. His 19-year-old girlfriend was also
involved in the incident but a verdict was not reached regarding her
role. She is accused of assisting in planning the murder and of stabbing
the victim, who died from gunshot and stab wounds.
BBC News,
17 November 2011
Five
members of a Bristol gang, aged 18 to 25, have been jailed after
posting a video of themselves with guns on the internet. Police
recovered multiple guns upon raiding the men's houses, including a
handgun from the video. O'Shane Finlayson, Linus Campbell and Narwayne
Parchment were sentenced to six years each for firearms offences. Noah
Ntuve was given five years, and 18-year-old Kamari Lee was jailed for
three years. The weapons police recovered during their pursuit of the
gang members reportedly included a sawn-off
shotgun and two handguns, with at least one fully loaded (TNT
Magazine, 18 November 2011).
Birmingham Post,
14 November 2011
Jayden
Copeland-Marks has been found guilty of attempted murder and wounding
with intent. He shot a man in the face with a
sawn-off shotgun in Handsworth, Birmingham in January.
The victim was trying to act as peacemaker during a fight at his own
18th birthday party, as he lost his lower jaw and tongue from the
gunshot wound.
This is Lancashire,
12 November 2011
Michael
Dunphy and Daniel Jones have been jailed for 11 years and 10 years,
respectively, after helping a drugs kingpin arrange for a man to be
killed. The victim, who was murdered in East Lancashire,
reportedly had a large amount of cocaine that drug lord Paul Devalda
wanted to steal. Devalda was jailed for life earlier this year after
being convicted of kidnap and murder. Dunphy and Jones were jailed after
admitting manslaughter and conspiracy to kidnap.
Mirror,
12 November
2011
Tyrell
Goather, 22, and Helal Miah, 17, have been jailed for five years and
three years, respectively, after being found guilty of firearm
possession. They hid a sub-machine gun and ammunition in a children's
playground in Hackney, east London, which police found along with
a knife and balaclava.
Guardian,
11 November 2011
Steven
Cardwell has been jailed for at least 11 years for helping gun runner
Steven Greenoe smuggle firearms into the UK. Cardwell was given an
indeterminate jail sentence in Liverpool after being convicted of
conspiracy to import, sell and possess prohibited firearms with intent
to endanger life. He helped Greenoe smuggle at least 63 guns into the
UK, of which police have only recovered 10.
Mirror,
11 November 2011
Five
teenage boys aged 13 to 16 have been jailed 18 months each after
carrying out an armed robbery in Southampton. The boys,
apparently model students doing GCSEs, threatened a shopkeeper with an
antique air gun. They each admitted
robbery and were sent to a young offenders institution.
Buxton Advertiser,
11 November 2011
John
Tibbles has been jailed for three years for shooting two horses and a
calf in Derbyshire. He reportedly acted out a 'violent fantasy'
of shooting animals, and didn't have any link with the animals' owner.
Tibbles admitted possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a
firearm without a certificate and two charges of destroying property.
Police reportedly recovered a firearm during their investigation.
BBC
News,
11 November 2011
David
Cawston has been jailed for three years for possessing an
air pistol with intent to cause fear
of violence. He initially contacted police and indicated that he had a
weapon, then barricaded himself in his home in New Costessey,
Norfolk. A 32-hour standoff ensued, as Cawston issued a list of
demands, but police finally arrested him without any gunshots being
fired.
Guardian,
10 November 2011
Rupert
Ross and Leon De St Aubin have each been jailed for 30 years for murder.
Ross shot a man in Wandsworth, south London five times over a
drug feud in 2009, and De St Aubin drove them away from the scene.
Worcester News,
10 November 2011
Michael
Higgins has been jailed for five years for possessing a
sawn-off shotgun and tear gas. Police
had recovered the items from a garden shed in Hertfordshire. The
firearm was not loaded but anyone convicted of possession of a sawn-off
shotgun automatically receives at least a five-year sentence.
Liverpool Echo,
10 November
2011
Kevin
McCarthy has been jailed for five years after police recovered a
sawn-off shotgun from his home in
Kirkby, Liverpool. Officers carried out an investigation after
gunfire was exchanged in August, and they noticed a shotgun cartridge on
the floor of his kitchen. Police then arrested McCarthy after he
admitted he had a shotgun buried in the garden, which they found along
with ammunition.
East Coast Target,
10 November
2011
Mark
Burton has been given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years
for possessing an unlicensed shotgun.
Burton, reportedly depressed over his mother's health, fired the shotgun
into the air after arguing with his partner. Police arrived at their
Lincolnshire home after his partner called them. They confiscated
the illegal weapon but spared him the mandatory five-year sentence for
possession of an unlicensed shotgun due to the judge ruling this case
was exceptional.
Evening Gazette,
9 November
2011
Dennis
Forster, 27, has been jailed indefinitely for public protection after
preying on young girls through the internet while living in Stockton.
Forster used a Facebook account -- in which he displayed a profile
picture of himself holding a gun -- to connect to more than 200 teenage
girls. He targeted 11 victims aged 12 to 15 over a three-year period and
bullied them into sending pictures and appearing on a webcam. Forster
issued threats to kidnap girls or kill their family throughout the
process. He must serve nearly five years before having the possibility
of parole.
Ellesmere Port Pioneer,
9 November
2011
Paul Ware
and David McEvoy have been jailed for six years each after threatening
security guards at gunpoint in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. The men
carried out the robbery at a petrol station, brandishing a
sawn-off shotgun and a handgun and
stealing nearly
£25k in cash.
Cambridge News,
8 November 2011
Stephen
Easey has been banned from driving for three years after police caught
him sleeping in a car while drunk in Cambridge. Easey, who
admitted to heavy drinking and using cocaine, was also in possession of
an air rifle. He was found guilty of
failure to provide a specimen and keeping the weapon, while the charge
of possessing the air rifle in a public place was reportedly dropped due
to lack of evidence. In addition to the driving ban, Easy was also fined
£645.
Harrow Times,
7 November 2011
Mikhail
Holness has been jailed for eight years after carrying out several armed
robberies in Harrow, north London. Holness pled guilty to five
counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery, six counts of
possession of an imitation firearm
and one count of carrying an imitation firearm in a public place. He
executed the robberies between June and August and was arrested by
police in September after an investigation.
Cambridge News,
7 November 2011
Patrick
Reeves admitted two counts of possessing an explosive substance for an
unlawful purpose in Cambridge. Reeves created two lethal homemade
petrol bombs in his kitchen and made threats about possessing a bomb,
causing officials to raid his home, evacuate his neighbours and get rid
of the bombs. He will be remanded in custody until he is sentenced.
Daily Mail,
6 November 2011
Karl
Blennerhassett has been jailed for two years for illegal possession of
antique weapons in West Lancashire. The gun collector, who owns
more than 140 guns, was discovered to own four modified
air rifles without a license. The
sentencing judge noted that antiques -- which are legal despite their
lethal ability -- must be taken seriously, because 'one of the great
tragedies on Merseyside involved an old firearm.' He was referring to
Rhys Jones, an 11-year-old who was killed in 2007 (BBC
News, 23 August 2007).
Yorkshire Post,
6 November 2011
Rauna
Kuklase has been jailed for ten years for armed robbery. He was part of
a gang that held up a jewellers in Leeds and Blackpool,
using imitation weapons and hammers in both raids. Kuklase admitted both
robberies and possessing an imitation firearm.
Birmingham Mail, 5 November 2011
Alexander
Stosic has been jailed for three years and four months after using an
imitation firearm in an attempted
robbery in Oldbury. He had tried to rob a hotel night porter by
pushing a cigarette lighter into the victim's back and threatening to
shoot him.
BBC News, 4 November 2011
Raymond
Andes has been jailed for 10 years for manslaughter. Andes shot and
killed a 21-year-old who had tried to break into his flat in Clapham,
south London. Andes had been protecting cannabis that he was growing,
but the shot he claimed to have fired in warning struck the victim in
the head. Andes was also convicted of possession of a firearm and
cultivating cannabis.
Ripley and Heanor News, 4 November 2011
Peter
Sisson has admitted illegally possessing a stun
gun, possessing amphetamine and damaging property. He
apparently broke into his ex-partner's home in Alfreton,
Derbyshire and threatened her with an axe. He was arrested four days
later in possession of the amphetamine, which he claimed to be taking to
counteract side effects from schizophrenia medication.
BBC News, 4 November 2011
Michael
Cassemis admitted stealing an arsenal of antique guns from a museum in
Devon. Cassemis stole deactivated rifles, revolvers, sub machine
guns and ammunition. He pleaded guilty to burglary and handling stolen
goods and was ordered to do 200 hours unpaid community work.
Newmarket Journal, 4 November 2011
Paul Falco
has pleaded guilty to possession of a shotgun
and ammunition without a certificate. He is currently on trial for
growing cannabis in Beck Row, Suffolk.
BBC News, 4 November 2011
Billy
Smith has been jailed for five years for causing grievous bodily harm
and possessing a firearm. Smith shot a man in Kent in August,
leaving the victim with wounds in his head and abdomen. Smith's son,
Billy Smith Jr., was sentenced to three months for common assault after
supporting the crime.
Your Local Guardian, 4 November 2011
Daniel
Young will be jailed for at least five years after police recovered a
pistol and ammunition from his home in Kingston. He pleaded
guilty to possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.
BBC News, 4 November 2011
Four men
have been jailed for robbing a 78-year-old man at his farmhouse in
Dorset. The men tied up the victim and stole
shotguns, money and a truck. Caleb Holland was given a
12-year sentence after he drove the robbers and gave them details about
the farm. Jake Borland, Samir Lammali and Michael Seddon, aged 21 to 23,
were each sentenced to seven years and six months. A fifth man connected
with the group, Ryan Dear, pleaded guilty to possessing firearms and was
jailed for one year.
Haringey Independent,
3 November 2011
A
16-year-old boy has been sentenced to 18 months detention after robbing
a man at gunpoint in Tottenham, north London. He threatened a
driver with a gun and stole the man's car, which was later recovered and
found to have the teenager's fingerprints. He was convicted of
possession of an imitation firearm
with intent to cause fear of violence.
Swindon Advertiser, 3 November 2011
Police are
attempting to ensure a club in Swindon gets shut down after
arresting the man who runs it on suspicion of possession of a firearm
and possession of drugs with intent to supply. There has been a history
of trouble at the club and officers recovered a large amount of cocaine
from the home of the club's manager.
Lancashire Telegraph, 2 November 2011
Stephen
Devalda has been jailed for 10 years after supplying a motorbike that
was used in an armed robbery in Colne, Lancashire. Devalda had
fled to Spain after he aided two men armed with machetes and an
imitation handgun, who held up
supermarket security guards and escaped with
£25k.
Dudley News, 2 November 2011
John
Fradgley has been handed a conditional discharge after possessing an
air pistol in a public place. He was
involved in an incident outside a leisure centre in Dudley where
he was caught in possession of the weapon.
Bristol Evening Post,
2 November
2011
Darren
Francis, Lee Bedford and Matthew Grant pleaded guilty to burglary after
an incident in which they stole a television from a 16-year-old who had
threatened them with an air rifle at
them. After the teenager aimed an air gun at the group in Bedminster,
Bristol, they chased him into his house, then stole his TV. The three
burglars were each fined
£915.
Pendle Today, 1 November 2011
Mohmmed
Omar Rasul and his brother Mohammed Haider Rasool have been jailed for
more than five years each after admitting to conspiracy to supply heroin
in Burnley. Among the items recovered by police when they raided
the brothers' home included a stun gun,
cash and drugs paraphernalia..
BBC News, 1 November 2011
Ryan
Coombes admitted robbery, attempted robbery, possessing a firearm and
escaping from prison in Nottingham. After he made his escape,
Coombes attempted to carry out armed robberies on two shops. He was
caught after police found him in his vehicle with an
air pistol and other weapons. He was
sentenced to indefinite time in jail and will serve a minimum of two
years and two months.
SCOTLAND
STV,
18 November 2011
John
Tomney has been found guilty of murder after killing his best friend
with an illegal pistol in a drunken accident. Tomney acted recklessly, a
jury decided, when he shot the victim in the chest at his home in
Wishaw, North Lanarkshire. Tomney initially dumped the gun and lied
to officers about the incident, saying his friend had been stabbed. The
weapon used was apparently an illegally owned service pistol, and was
one of two illegal guns in the house that night, along with 100 bullets.
WALES
Barry and District News,
24 November 2011
Kamaran
Aman has been jailed for three and a half years for possessing an
imitation firearm with intent to
cause fear of harm. He attacked a man in Barry, south of Cardiff,
with a BB gun in August, chasing him and firing at him.
This is South Wales, 4 November 2011
Shaheur
Rahman, 19, who lives in Tower Hamlets, east London, has been
jailed for two and a half years for assault causing actual bodily harm
and possessing a firearm. He shot another Londoner with an
air gun while the two were both in
Swansea. One day after legally buying the weapon in Swansea, Rahman
shot the victim five times in what the court referred to as a
'pre-planned revenge attack.'
