Claughton-on-Brock man admits firearms offences after wife contacts police

David Price, 62, of May Lane, Claughton-On-Brock, Preston, was in custody for an assault and was later convicted by magistrates, Preston Crown Court heard.

He has now been given a 12 month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work after admitting possessing a weapon for electrical incapacitation between July 19 and 20, 2019, and possessing ammunition for a rifle without a certificate.

Another charge of possessing a prohibited weapon - a shotgun disguised as a walking cane - was dropped.

Huw Edwards, prosecuting, said: "Both the defendant and his wife were registered as firearms certificate holders.

"Mr Price agreed to voluntarily surrender it."

After the assault, police attended his home and were directed by Mrs Price to a walking stick with a horn handle, which was seized.

He added: " After the officers left Mrs Price called the police and disclosed there were other items in the house she was concerned about.

"PC Bell attended and was presented by Mrs Price with a Taser stun gun.

"The taser was tested by the officer there were batteries inside and found to be in working order and ready to discharge.

"PC Bell attended a separated address linked to the defendant called Hillcrest. A search was carried out and recovered were 174 9mm Luger cartridges."

Price was arrested for firearms offences and interviewed.

He said he had owned the walking cane shotgun for more than 20 years and that he kept the ammunition despite handguns becoming illegal because he thought one day he would use it at a rifle range.

Judge Graham Knowles QC ordered the destruction of the stun gun and ammunition.

Imposing a 12 month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work, he said: " The background is he's a genuine shooting enthusiast, he's not somebody who came by the ammunition in any suspicious circumstances.

"The reality is you had what you shouldn't have had in two different houses and that makes things worse."

The Lancashire Post is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. For unlimited access to Lancashire news and information online, you can subscribe here.