Disabled man kept gun in car
A DISABLED man has been jailed after he kept a shotgun in a mobility car outside his home.
David Chalcroft, 57, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court after stun guns and a shotgun were found following a search at Chalcroft’s home in Lon Heulog, Brynmenyn.
A DISABLED man has been jailed after he kept a shotgun in a mobility car outside his home.
David Chalcroft, 57, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court last Friday after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm without a certificate, possessing a prohibited weapon, possessing and disguising a firearm and dealing goods with fraudulent intention.
On December 11, 2018, stun guns and a shotgun were found following a search at Chalcroft’s address.
The court heard one of the stun guns was disguised as a mobile phone.
Chalcroft was also discovered to be involved in fraudulent dealings of tobacco and cigarettes, which the court was told took place between November 25 and December 3, 2018. The court was told that the customs and revenue loss in relation to these items found was £5,179.
Susan Payne, prosecuting, said: “Two stun guns came to the UK from Spain some years ago. He brought them in a suitcase. They were left unused for some time and had been in the bottom drawer for a number of years.”
The court was told the defendant bought the shotgun in a car boot sale for £60 or £70.
Chalcroft, of Lon Heulog, Brynmenyn, Bridgend, kept the shortened shotgun in his vehicle outside his home.
Defending Chalcroft, Adam Sharp said it was “unusually out of character” for him to appear before the courts.
Mr Sharp said his client had been through difficult times after losing his wife and having his legs amputated as a result of his diabetes.
“He is a gentleman of advanced years,” said Mr Sharp. “He spent most of his life as a hard-working family man.”
Speaking about the gun found in the car, he added: “It was covered so the risk it posed to members of the public was limited.
“In relation to counts two and three, these were items that were purchased in Spain. These were not working, nor was a charger working to charge them when they came to the UK all those years ago. They were not chargeable. They were not in a public place.”
The court was told it was not illegal to buy stun guns in Spain at the time.
Mr Sharp said Chalcroft “briefly” became involved in selling cigarettes when his benefits were stopped.
He said the defendant has suffered with depression. He said: “The pain and treatment for his amputations are ongoing. There are ongoing concerns. He’s now widowed and wheelchair-bound.”
Other gun parts were also found at the property, which Judge Eleri Rees said gave the impression Chalcroft has “an interest in guns”. “That maybe the mechanics of them as opposed to the using of them as weapons,” she said.
Judge Rees sentenced Chalcroft to three years in prison. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge.