Guns kept in box on fridge, court told

A box containing an arsenal of weapons including a Kalashnikov and an Uzi sub machine-gun was kept on top of a fridge at a Midland fruit and veg business, a court heard.

David Evans had amassed a collection of 10 guns and hundreds of live rounds at the firm he ran from a barn at Hinksford Farm, Swindon, near Wolverhampton.

He is accused of supplying the weapons to Daniel Thatcher, aged 26, and his brother Lee. Evans, aged 42, faces 29 charges of possessing and transferring prohibited weapons. He denies 27 of the charges.

A trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that five guns were discovered at Daniel Thatcher's home in Summerfield Avenue, Wall Heath.

A 9mm Uzi and a 9mm pistol were found under his bed as well cartridges.

Five more weapons, including an Uzi sub machine-gun, were discovered in his brother Lee's garage, with hundreds of live rounds.

Mr Philip Bradley, prosecuting, said that Evans, of Lawnswood Road, Wordsley, was a "gun fanatic" who had been banned from keeping or being involved with firearms after being convicted in 2005 of possessing an automatic weapon.

He continued to buy and make guns despite the ban and gave the arsenal to Daniel Thatcher towards the end of 2009, the court was told.

Mr Bradley said the cardboard box of weapons was kept on top of an industrial-sized fridge at the barn.

Evans first met mechanic Thatcher, who had a shotgun licence, when they both lived in Summerfield Avenue.

The collection of guns was found after the two brothers were arrested for trespassing in Cavendish House, a derelict office block in Dudley town centre.

Police searched their home and the trail was traced back to Evans, who was arrested on June 17 last year, Mr Bradley said.

The Thatcher brothers were convicted of possession of firearms and ammunition last year.

The trial continues.