Alexandra District Court

A CROMWELL man facing three firearms charges had ‘‘some kind of contemplative criminal purpose’’, the Alexandra District Court has heard.

Baily James Alexander ReadMcDowell (19) entered guilty pleas in the court yesterday to possessing a sawnoff .22 Ruger pistol, a .223 Savage rifle and six .22 cartridges, all without lawful, proper and sufficient purpose, all in Cromwell on August 16.

He also admitted possessing a glass pipe for consuming methamphetamine, also in Cromwell on August 16.

Judge Dominic Flatley said one of the firearms was loaded and, coupled with the ‘‘presence of drug paraphernalia’’, it showed ReadMcDowell had ‘‘some kind of contemplative criminal purpose’’ for the firearms.

Counsel for ReadMcDowell, Justine Baird, sought bail for him.

Judge Flatley said there was ‘‘no question’’ jail would be the starting point for his sentence, but because of his youth it would be a ‘‘closerun’’ thing and it was ‘‘not a given’’ he would go to prison.

Because ReadMcDowell also faced other charges, for which a disputed facts hearing and case review would be held on October 11 and December 12 respectively, if he was remanded in custody it was likely he would be in jail ‘‘for some time’’ awaiting resolution of those, Judge Flatley said.

He therefore granted bail ‘‘by a very fine margin’’.

‘‘But if you put one foot wrong you will be immediately in custody and that’s where you will remain right until the trials,’’ he told ReadMcDowell.

ReadMcDowell will reappear in the Alexandra court on October 11.