If I were a independently wealthy individual, I would hire a team of “professionals” to kidnap this man to save him from his nation’s justice system.
A former soldier who handed a discarded shotgun in to police faces at least five years imprisonment for “doing his duty”.
Paul Clarke, 27, was found guilty of possessing a firearm at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday – after finding the gun and handing it personally to police officers on March 20 this year.
The jury took 20 minutes to make its conviction, and Mr Clarke now faces a minimum of five year’s imprisonment for handing in the weapon.
In a statement read out in court, Mr Clarke said: “I didn’t think for one moment I would be arrested.
“I thought it was my duty to hand it in and get it off the streets.”
The court heard how Mr Clarke was on the balcony of his home in Nailsworth Crescent, Merstham, when he spotted a black bin liner at the bottom of his garden.In his statement, he said: “I took it indoors and inside found a shorn-off shotgun and two cartridges.
“I didn’t know what to do, so the next morning I rang the Chief Superintendent, Adrian Harper, and asked if I could pop in and see him.
“At the police station, I took the gun out of the bag and placed it on the table so it was pointing towards the wall.”
Mr Clarke was then arrested immediately for possession of a firearm at Reigate police station, and taken to the cells.
…..
Prosecuting, Brian Stalk, explained to the jury that possession of a firearm was a “strict liability” charge – therefore Mr Clarke’s allegedly honest intent was irrelevant.
Just by having the gun in his possession he was guilty of the charge, and has no defence in law against it, he added.
Alas, I am not independently wealthy. But if you know of anyone who is, please pass this along.
Found via CCinZ
I read this over at WoG… unbelievable. What is a citizen therefore supposed to do when they find a weapon like this? Well, I guess the moral of the story is to keep it and STFU. You can’t get in any worse trouble than if you try to do the right thing.
Poor bastard.
The man’s situation needs changing less than the government Over There needs changing.
Maybe it’s time to make a deal with the IRA. Has anyone else noticed that this huge fall-off in British personal liberty happened right after the IRA hung up their arms and declared a permanent truce with the Brit gov’t?
You should read the comments on this story on some of the UK sites… there are people actually defending the court. And telling us Yanks to mind our own business. You can’t save people like that, they want to be sheep.
Wow, how incredibly sad.
“When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns…”
Take note, those who say “something like this could never happen here;” they used to say that in Britain too, when such things were happening on the Continent.
I guess there will be no more gun buy-backs or hand-in amnesties in the (y)UK anymore. Who is going to turn in a BB gun or crossbow when the fuzz won’t keep their end of the bargin and not arrest you for handing in guns you’ve found?
Ironically the land which created the Sten for stay-behind groups and resistance movements in occupied Europe now needs such a weapon the most.
Whatever happened to the notion of intent?
“Comments on this story have been disabled for legal reasons”
They have strict liability for libel too.
*just stares*
I… I got nothing. Seriously. But I’m writing Britain off, pretty much permanently.
As far as intent goes, Bob, look near the end of the story. The judge is saying his intent is completely irrelevant. He had a gun, therefore he goes to jail.
What spectacular asshattery. How far the British Empire has fallen.
Well then. There is no longer any reason to to go completely outlaw in Britain.
Keep the shotgun, and get an ASBO so the police won’t bother you.
Don’t be an honest citizen, those folks are punished daily for nothing. If they are going to jail you regardless, then at least get the benefits of outlawry.
More thatn enough grounds to begin the revolt, start with the judge.