TEENAGER WITH ILLEGAL AIR RIFLE PLEADS GUILTY TO POSSESSION
A teenager caught with an illegal air rifle said he'd used it to shoot rabbits.Police responded after reports of shots fired from a vehicle.
They located Levi Charlton in the Batley area and found the weapon in the boot of his car.
The 18-year-old was not charged for the shooting but was found in illegal possession of the rifle and a sound moderator attached to it.
He pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing a firearm without a certificate.
Prosecutor Toni McCann explained: “On March 17 police received reports from a member of the public concerning a male driving a Peugeot 107.” “(He) appeared to have been firing a gun out of the window.” Police conducted an area search and stopped the vehicle on Field Lane in Batley, where they spoke with Charlton, the driver.
He admitted possessing a rifle, which was found in the boot of his car.
The .22 air rifle was not loaded when found.
Testing showed it required a firearms certificate to possess, which Charlton did not have.
A sound moderator was attached to the weapon, and he did not have a certificate for it either.
Defense lawyer Paul Blanchard stated: “The fact that it was capable of discharge in excess of the limit meant that it should have had a firearms certificate.” “He bought it second hand and didn't purchase from a dealer.” “His intent was rabbiting, which explains the silencer.” “The circumstances are isolated; Charlton keeps to himself in Batley.” He added: “There's no suggestion he was involved in any earlier incident, only that the weapon was found in the vehicle.” Charlton was sentenced at Kirklees magistrates to a community order with 10 rehabilitation activity days and 100 hours of unpaid work.
He must pay £85 court costs and £85 victim surcharge.
The air rifle and silencer will be forfeited and destroyed.
