A man who dumped a sub-machine gun and other firearms components in a skip at South Woodham Ferrers has been jailed - just a week after a nationwide gun amnesty began.
Norman Morgan, 34, of Celeborn Street, South Woodham Ferrers, pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court to possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing component parts for a self-loading rifle without a Firearms Certificate.
He asked for three other offences, involving components for two sub-machine guns, to be taken into consideration.
Morgan, said to be of previous good character, was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment on Monday.
The nationwide gun amnesty began on March 31.Colin Cousins, mitigating, said Morgan now realised his actions in disposing of the components in the way he did had been wrong and stupid.
Mr Cousins added: "There was no question of these items falling into the wrong hands. He has no connection whatsoever with the criminal fraternity. Had he waited until last week for the gun amnesty to start he would not be in this position."
Amanda Rippon, prosecuting, said on June 16 last year a man was seen loading items into a 'metal only' skip at the amenity centre, South Woodham Ferrers.
He left and returned half an hour later and deposited more items.
A man working at the site became suspicious of the items, examined them and called the police.
A CCTV camera at the site saw the man using an Alfa Romeo car which was later traced to the defendant.
Miss Rippon said the items were examined and found to be a Sterling sub-machine gun and various parts for two other sub-machine guns.
There were also two dummy rocket propelled grenades and a dismantled self-loading rifle.
Police went to Morgan's home and he admitted dumping the items there.
He said he had collected the bits over the years when he worked for the Ministry of Defence as an armourer at the Regent's Park Barracks in London.
He had intended to display the items on the wall of his home but changed his mind and decided to get rid of them.
Morgan denied another charge of stealing various firearms parts and accessories belonging to the Ministry of Defence between October, 1989, and August 1999, and this plea was accepted by the prosecution.
Judge Rodger Hayward-Smith QC told him: "Offences involving firearms are always regarded as serious by the courts. There was a danger here of these weapons falling into the wrong hands. The danger was too awful to contemplate."
Judge Hayward-Smith made an order for the destruction of the weapons.
Published Thursday, April 10, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article