Co Antrim man with haul of weapons had innocent ‘obsession’ with guns, court told

A Co Antrim man allegedly had an assortment of guns, ammunition and replica weapons as part of his innocent “obsession” with firearms, a court heard yesterday.

Police claimed the haul seized from Darren Clawson’s flat included a loaded revolver and could have been accessed by organised criminals or paramilitaries in the Carrickfergus area.

But a defence barrister described the 33-year-old as a solitary individual whose fascination in the history of weapon development stretched back to the First World War. Paul Bacon told Belfast Magistrates Court: “He is a gun enthusiast and has an obsession with guns, with the technology of firearms and the progression of firearms. It may not be the best hobby to have, especially in this jurisdiction, but nonetheless that’s the reason.”

Clawson, of Cheston Street, in the town, faces two charges of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and six counts of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He is also accused of having a quantity of ammunition.

The guns were discovered during searches carried out at his home on January 21 amid suspicions items had been imported, the court heard.

A detective said the revolver was discovered in a drawer under Clawson’s bed. Other firearms and imitation weapons were also readily accessible in a kitchen cupboard, he claimed.

Opposing bail, the detective contended: “(We suspect) he either had these for an organised crime gang or for paramilitary use in the Carrickfergus area.”

However, Mr Bacon insisted his client had shown police what he believed was a fake firearm in a box he bought from a Spanish website. Another gun was a standard issue Webley Revolver given to British officers between 1914 and 1918, counsel added.

He argued that any alleged reluctance by Clawson to explain where some were obtained was due to a previous incident which resulted in resentment within the local community. He added: “He is a somewhat solitary figure, he has no links to any organised crime or paramilitaries.”

Refusing bail, however, District Judge George Conner ruled there was no change of circumstances to justify releasing him. He was remanded in custody to appear again later this month.