Bilston brothers locked up over replica guns
Three brothers have each been locked up for handling replica army gear stolen in the Black Country.
The £3,500 haul included 57 shotguns and rifles, replica magazines of ammunition, 17 protective vests and two camouflage shirts, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday.
They were taken from a lock-up in Oaklands Green, Bilston, used by a businessman specialising in military simulation equipment, explained prosecutor Miss Shenaz Muzaffer.
Less than six hours later police investigating an unrelated matter found four radios, a stab vest and a BB gun in a ruck-sack belonging to 28-year-old Gavin Cotterill when they stopped a Range Rover in which he was travelling with his brothers Thomas, 19, and Lee, aged 25.
The officers let the trio drive away, the court was told. But the vehicle was searched four days later and an imitation gun and ammunition were found.
These were linked to the burglary, prompting searches of the homes of the brothers during which all the stolen property was recovered.
The trio claimed to have got the items at a car boot sale. Gavin Cotterill, from Lianna Gardens, Lee Cotterill, of Yale Road, and Thomas, who lives in Oaklands Gardens, all Bilston, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods on the basis they had nothing to do with the original burglary.
Mr Jasvir Mann, defending, said: "These items are intended to be used for paint balling and were not acquired for any sinister purpose."
Gavin Cotterill, who admitted stealing £6,600 worth of metal from Vogue Ltd in Strawberry Lane, Wednesfield, was jailed for 19 months, his brother Lee was jailed for 11 months and Thomas received nine months detention in a Young Offenders Institution.
