Kavanagh could face five years over stun gun charge
AN Irishman charged with having an illegal stun gun disguised as a torch is facing up to five years in jail, a UK court heard yesterday.
Thomas Kavanagh, 51, was arrested after landing at Birmingham Airport on Saturday as part of an investigation by Britain’s National Crime Agency.
Prosecutor Diane Mackriel told North Staffordshire Magistrates’ Court the married father of six had just returned from a family holiday in Mexico with his wife and children. NCA officers, supported by gardai and Staffordshire Police, searched his home on Saturday, recovering a combination torch and stun gun which is illegal under UK law.
Dubliner Kavanagh runs a car dealership and has lived in Britain for more than 15 years.
He was charged with possession of a prohibited item under Section 5 of the Firearms Act, and appeared in court for the first time yesterday.
This section of the legislation carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for possession.
Wearing glasses, a black V-neck sweater and white shirt, and flanked by two security officers, Kavanagh stood in the secure dock during a hearing lasting 57 minutes.
The court heard the item was found on top of a cupboard in the kitchen.
Kavanagh, of Sutton Road, Tamworth, Staffordshire, spoke to confirm his name, date of birth, nationality and that he understood proceedings.
Following the hearing, attended by his wife, family members and his accountant, the accused, who is originally from the Drimnagh area of Dublin, was remanded in custody. He is Thomas Kavanagh at court yesterday to appear at Stafford Crown Court today. Claire Holden, chairman of the bench, told him: “You must now go to the crown court, before a judge, who will listen to the prosecution and your lawyer, and make a decision as to what happens next.
“You must go into custody, overnight, and a decision will be made.”
The NCA had said a 20-year-old man arrested with Kavanagh at Birmingham Airport has been released.
A third man, aged 19, was also arrested and released.