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Tandragee man who tried to get his hands on pistol to be sentenced next week

Armagh Magistrates Court

A Tandragee man who tried to obtain a weapon and ammunition without a firearm certificate will have to wait until next week to learn his fate.

Court heard the 47-year-old committed the offence on June 7, of last year, with the prohibited weapon being a blank firing, semi automatic pistol.

Ian William Thompson, of Montague Park, pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and attempted possession of ammunition a firearm certificate at Armagh Magistrates’ on Tuesday.

Prosecution withdrew a third charge of fraudulent evasion of the prohibition with respect to the importation of the goods.

The weapon referred to as a blank firing, semi automatic pistol and the ammunition being 10 blank cartridges containing an incapacitating spray.

The charges were initially to be contested but defence barrister Patrick Taggart stated: “I am thankful to my friend, after being provided with expert evidence there are to be pleas to two of the charges.

“The other is to be withdrawn, this may be a case which would require a pre-sentence report.”

District Judge Paul Copeland commented that such a report would not be required “at this stage” and adjourned the case to November 12 for sentencing.

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