2 weeks Ago By Antrim Court Reporter
Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to NorthernIrelandWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you. Darren Greer (35), of Sprucefield in Antrim town, owner of 'The Old Moneypot' shop at High Street in Antrim, pleaded guilty to possessing a '.22 calibre air rifle' without a firearms certificate in June this year.
A prosecutor told Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, police were in attendance at High Street "accompanying HMRC who were carrying out a search of the property. This property was a shop which was selling various items of memorabilia and antiques". Advertisement Advertisement She said the defendant was in the shop and continued: "Police observed an air rifle to be on display.
" The defendant was arrested. Tests were carried out on the air rifle and tests showed it was a "spring-powered break barrel air rifle” which required a firearms certificate. For the best coverage of life in Northern Ireland, sign up to our newsletter now The defendant told police he "didn't know the barrel broke on the weapon".
He said "he bought it from somebody who came into the shop the previous day" for £60. Advertisement Advertisement A defence solicitor said the defendant runs a business called 'The Old Moneypot' which sells "bric-a-brac , collectibles, military items, souvenirs and this was just one more item that was on display. It was intended to be sold".
He said the defendant "didn't realise this item had a kinetic energy over one joule". The solicitor said it was "not a case were there was any sinister purpose behind the possession of this item, it was something he collected as part of his business". The court was told: "He is now aware of the law and the legal position and he doesn't intend to purchase any more items of this nature if anybody offers it for sale.
" Advertisement Advertisement Fining the defendant £300, District Judge Nigel Broderick said: "Hopefully you have learned a salutary lesson, purchasing these items as you have now found out to your cost, can be fraught with difficulties." Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to NorthernIrelandWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you..
