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Quote:Ex-soldier faces jail for handing in gun
Saturday, November 14, 2009, 12:15

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.

Defending, Lionel Blackman told the jury Mr Clarke's garden backs onto a public green field, and his garden wall is significantly lower than his neighbours.

He also showed jurors a leaflet printed by Surrey Police explaining to citizens what they can do at a police station, which included "reporting found firearms".

Quizzing officer Garnett, who arrested Mr Clarke, he asked: "Are you aware of any notice issued by Surrey Police, or any publicity given to, telling citizens that if they find a firearm the only thing they should do is not touch it, report it by telephone, and not take it into a police station?"

To which, Mr Garnett replied: "No, I don't believe so."

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.

But despite this, Mr Blackman urged members of the jury to consider how they would respond if they found a gun.

He said: "This is a very small case with a very big principle.

"You could be walking to a railway station on the way to work and find a firearm in a bin in the park.

"Is it unreasonable to take it to the police station?"

Paul Clarke will be sentenced on December 11.

Judge Christopher Critchlow said: "This is an unusual case, but in law there is no dispute that Mr Clarke has no defence to this charge.

"The intention of anybody possessing a firearm is irrelevant."

Forum: The JCF Lounge
Replies 6

Ex-Soldier faces jail for handing in a gun!

by Dan_Turism0, 04-10-2017, 08:29 PM

what a great country we live in!

http://www.thisissurreytoday.co.uk/news/...ticle.html

Quote:Ex-soldier faces jail for handing in gun
Saturday, November 14, 2009, 12:15

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.

Defending, Lionel Blackman told the jury Mr Clarke's garden backs onto a public green field, and his garden wall is significantly lower than his neighbours.

He also showed jurors a leaflet printed by Surrey Police explaining to citizens what they can do at a police station, which included "reporting found firearms".

Quizzing officer Garnett, who arrested Mr Clarke, he asked: "Are you aware of any notice issued by Surrey Police, or any publicity given to, telling citizens that if they find a firearm the only thing they should do is not touch it, report it by telephone, and not take it into a police station?"

To which, Mr Garnett replied: "No, I don't believe so."

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.

But despite this, Mr Blackman urged members of the jury to consider how they would respond if they found a gun.

He said: "This is a very small case with a very big principle.

"You could be walking to a railway station on the way to work and find a firearm in a bin in the park.

"Is it unreasonable to take it to the police station?"

Paul Clarke will be sentenced on December 11.

Judge Christopher Critchlow said: "This is an unusual case, but in law there is no dispute that Mr Clarke has no defence to this charge.

"The intention of anybody possessing a firearm is irrelevant."

Due to popular demand we have taken the garage offline whilst we make some changes so that it will continue to remain running as fast as we can make it

Sorry for this it will be back up very soon im told :thumbup::thumbup:

Forum: Comments from the Mod/Admins
No Replies

New Garage!!

by Rabster, 04-10-2017, 07:21 PM

The Golf Pt 3

by Chris, 04-10-2017, 02:51 PM

Forum: Non Jap Cars
Replies 9

The Golf Pt 3

by Chris, 04-10-2017, 02:51 PM

[Image: DSCF0529.jpg]

[Image: DSCF0532.jpg]

[Image: DSCF0533.jpg]

[Image: DSCF0535.jpg]

[Image: DSCF0536.jpg]

[Image: DSCF0537.jpg]

what do you guys think??

by weemo1rush, 04-10-2017, 02:17 PM

Hi guys think i have found what im looking for
and they have dropped the price by 500 bucks
what do you lot think . a seal has gone on the turbo but i have found a firm that will overhaul the turbo, which is a hks job for about 150bucks
let me know what you think.
http://www.japperformanceparts.co.uk/details.asp?ID=269

Forum: General Car Maintenance
Replies 9

what do you guys think??

by weemo1rush, 04-10-2017, 02:17 PM

Tyre pressure?

by Andy-R., 04-10-2017, 11:40 AM

Does anyone know what pressure should be in 205/50/16's on the Imprezza? cheers.

Forum: General Car Maintenance
Replies 10

Tyre pressure?

by Andy-R., 04-10-2017, 11:40 AM

Does anyone know what pressure should be in 205/50/16's on the Imprezza? cheers.

Roofers - London area

by parthiban, 04-10-2017, 11:17 AM

Is anyone here or does anyone know of a decent roofer in the London area?

Forum: The JCF Lounge
No Replies

Roofers - London area

by parthiban, 04-10-2017, 11:17 AM

Is anyone here or does anyone know of a decent roofer in the London area?

New Garage

by The_Stig, 04-10-2017, 08:37 AM

Ladies and Gents

We are upgrading the garage so that it has lots more features for you to play with, some of these include the following
• Modifications and Images
• Insurance Premiums
• 1/4 Mile Statistics and Images
• Dyno Run Statistics and Images
• Lap Time Statistics and Images
• Garage Service records

We feel that this will be of more benefit to our members.

As with any new program there will be a transition period where the garage will be unavailable, and you will need to upload into it all your details again

Please remember that there will be more benefits when using the garage if you are a paid member, these will be outlaid once the new software is implemented

Stig

Forum: Comments from the Mod/Admins
Replies 4

New Garage

by The_Stig, 04-10-2017, 08:37 AM

Happy birthday Diane (a.k.a RoadsterDiane)

by Dark Samurai, 04-10-2017, 07:51 AM

Its my mums 21st birthday today haha.
So happy birthday Mum.
Sorry guys she has no D.O.B on her profile.

Forum: The JCF Lounge
Replies 10

Happy birthday Diane (a.k.a RoadsterDiane)

by Dark Samurai, 04-10-2017, 07:51 AM

Its my mums 21st birthday today haha.
So happy birthday Mum.
Sorry guys she has no D.O.B on her profile.

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