Maghera man fined for having air rifles without firearms certificate

Before the court was Vaughan Clarke Porter (47), of Ballynahone Road, Maghera, who was fined a total of £315 for possessing the weapons without a firearms certificate.

Imposing the fine, District Judge Alan White noted that the incident happened three years ago and Porter had nothing of a similar nature in his record.

Mr White also made an order for the destruction of the air rifles.

Counsel prosecuting said on November 7, 2013, police carried out searches at three properties on a laneway at Ballynahone, Maghera.

She said in one they found an air rifle with telescopic sight behind a wardrobe, while in another property belonging to his ex-partner they found a second air rifle in front on a cupboard.

The barrister said both Porter and his ex-partner were interviewed and both made no comment in relation to the firearms.

She added that finger prints linked both air rifles to the defendant.

Defence barrister Eoghan Devlin said the offence occurred due to “more of an administration oversight on the part of Mr Porter than anything else”.

Mr Devlin asked the court to deal with the matter in a lenient manner as defendant had been to a hospital appointment and has further procedures to go through.