Tatters failed to inform police of shotgun find
Three tatters who found a sawn-off shotgun believed to have been used in a shooting were charged with possessing the weapon because they did not inform the police about it quickly enough.
Nigel Baker, Gary Garbett and John Harris were on the hunt for metal to sell when they came across the double-barrelled 12-bore weapon.
But instead of calling police to report the find, the trio were seen on a CCTV camera handling it at J Smith Metal Ltd in Parkfield Road, Wolverhampton, the city's crown court heard.
The hearing was told that while the three defendants were out searching for scrap metal in June last year, they also found ammunition, cartridges and a silencer that added up to an "arsenal" of items. Later that evening, 46-year-old Baker telephoned police to say they had earlier found the weapon.
He led officers to some bushes in Clarendon Street, where the trio had left the gun.
Prosecutor Mr Peter Cooke said: "There was ample opportunity to hand it in to police but that was not done until later that evening."
He added: "I believe there may be a connection to a shooting in Whitmore Reans. It was stolen as long ago as 1995 but had been in criminal circles, one presupposes, all of that period of time."
Baker, of Haden Hill Road, Wolverhampton, Garbett, 40, of Merridale Road, Chapel Ash, and 40-year-old Harris, of Newhampton Road West, Whitmore Reans, had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm.
The court was told that none of the defendants had any previous convictions for firearms-related offences.
Defence barristers explained that it was likely that the police would not have recovered the weapon had it not been reported by the defendants.
Judge Martin Walsh explained that in most cases, people guilty of possessing a firearm receive a five-year minimum prison term.
But he handed the trio a six-month prison term suspended for two years.
He told the defendants the weapon should have been taken to the police immediately, and added: "You unwittingly flirted with very serious crime when you came by this firearm.
"When you found this item you did not initially behave responsibly."
Following the case, Det Insp Phil Cape said: "The decision to charge in this case was made on the evidence available and after consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.
"We take firearm possession very seriously and will prosecute where appropriate to protect out communities from harm or danger. Anyone who finds a firearm should leave it where it is and alert police immediately."
