Man Jailed for Possession of Multiple Firearms
Karl Matthews, 48, has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found in possession of a rifle and five handguns, along with ammunition, at his home in Castle Douglas. Matthews claimed the firearms had been passed down to him by his late father.
A judge dismissed a request to avoid the mandatory minimum sentence required by law for possession of prohibited firearms.
Discovery of Firearms During Police Search
Police executed a search warrant at Matthews' residence on Screel View following information regarding his possession of firearms. During the search, officers found a rifle and five handguns stored in the loft of the semi-detached house, along with bullets.
Items recovered included two cases, two large holdalls, and a rifle case containing the weapons and ammunition.
Details of the Weapons and Legal Proceedings
Matthews admitted to 13 firearms offences, including possession without a firearms certificate, possession of prohibited weapons, and possession of cartridges without a certificate. These offences were committed on 10 August of the previous year.
In an interview with police, Matthews stated that the firearms and ammunition were inherited from his father, who had passed away three years earlier. He acknowledged awareness that he should not have kept the weapons but asserted that he had never discharged any of them.
The rifle was identified as a Lee Enfield bolt-action rifle manufactured circa 1914, noted to be in good condition. All firearms found were capable of firing bullets.
The handguns included a Smith & Wesson six-shot revolver, a Colt frontier six-shooter revolver, and a Ruger MKII self-loading pistol.
Judicial Remarks and Defence Arguments
Lord Arthurson, presiding over the High Court in Edinburgh, acknowledged Matthews' defence that the guns were inherited but criticized the insecure storage of the weapons.
This was not a single, long forgotten, antique weapon. Far from it.
Defence counsel Kevin Henry requested a non-custodial sentence, recognizing the seriousness of the case but arguing for exceptional circumstances that would permit a sentence below the statutory minimum of five years.
Henry emphasized that the firearms originally belonged to Matthews' father, who had a military background, an interest in firearms, and held a firearms licence.
He further noted that Matthews was assessed as posing a low risk of reoffending, had stable employment and accommodation, and acted as a carer for his daughter.
Crown's Position and Sentencing Outcome
Advocate depute Anna Chisholm stated the Crown's position that no exceptional circumstances existed to justify a reduced sentence.
She highlighted that the case involved prohibited weapons stored insecurely, with ammunition capable of being used in the recovered firearms, all of which appeared to be operational.
Chisholm emphasized that Matthews had possessed the weapons for a significant period without taking steps to properly dispose of them, including surrendering them to the police.
