Fine for Telford man who had shotguns in his car

Carl Garbett, of Queens Road, Donnington, was found to be in possession of an over and under shotgun and a camouflaged Browning semi-automatic shotgun when his house was searched by the police on December 27, 2017.

The 55-year-old pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm in front of magistrates in Telford on Friday.

Prosecuting, Sara Beddows, said: "As a result of an unrelated incident, police officers became aware that the defendant was in possession of two weapons at his address.

"A search was conducted and two shotguns were found, a camouflaged Browning semi-automatic shotgun and an over and under shotgun.

"The defendant was interviewed and explained he used to be a firearms dealer for about 10 to 15 years, and that a man had turned up and asked him to repair a shotgun."

The court heard a second man also enquired about shotgun repairs, and that Garbett agreed to transport the weapons to a firearms dealer in Shifnal.

"The defendant also mentioned that he had travelled to Shifnal with the weapons but that the man no longer worked there for them to be repaired," she added.

"He had been in possession of the shotguns for about two weeks."

Concerned

Clive Rees, defending, said: "These are very straight forward guns and there's absolutely no dispute about what has happened, although Mr Garbett is still very concerned about this.

"This is a serious matter but I do not think it is the type of incident to be referred to crown court.

"He admits that being a previous firearm dealer he should have known better.

"He had checked, and whether it be down to hearing problems he suffers, he was under the impression he was allowed to transport the guns to Shifnal.

"This will no doubt result in him losing his current personal gun licence and I do not feel there is anything about this that should result in anything greater than a financial punishment."

Chair, Russel Thomas, said: "We are going to deal with this in the way of a fine.

"There will be a forfeiture and destruction order on the shotguns as you didn't have permission to have them in your possession.

"But we see no intent to use the weapons as they were given to you to repair so presumably didn't work – the other point to mention is that there is no charge for unlawful possession of ammunition."

Garbett was fined £80, with costs of £185 and a victim surcharge of £30.

His case has also been referred to an external firearms body which will decide whether Garbett's personal gun licence is revoked.