Men armed with banned weapons jailed after shooting in village

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

0 1 minute read

Legend, Callum Williamson, left, and Richard Robinson were jailed

1 hour ago

Two men have been jailed after shooting a banned weapon in an Aberdeenshire village, alerting police to their crimes.

Officers who received the report of shots fired found Richard Robinson, 39, and Callum Williamson, 22, with weapons and ammunition at Robinson's cottage in Crimond, following the October incident in Last year.

Both men admitted to recklessly discharging a firearm, endangering the public, as well as other firearms offenses.

During sentencing at the High Court in Aberdeen, Lord Mulholland told the men he would jail them for the statutory minimum term of five years.

MP Craig Murray previously said the derringer weapon found could be classified as an “antique firearm”.

It could therefore be exempt from the control of firearms certificates if it was kept as a “curiosity or ornament”.

The prosecutor, however, explained: “He was not detained for these purposes at the time of the events.”

A pistol found was also a prohibited weapon.

Legend, The men were sentenced at the High Court in Aberdeen

Williamson also admitted contravening the Firearms Licensing Act by possessing a prohibited weapon – the derringer.

Robinson also pleaded guilty to breaking the law by possessing the banned Colt pistol and ammunition.

Defense attorney Drew McKenzie said Williamson had previous convictions but had never been sentenced to prison.

Neil Shand, defending Robinson, said he regretted his behavior.

The judge explained to the men that there were strict laws and that guns were “highly regulated for good reasons.”

Lord Mulholland said a member of the public could easily have been injured and their fate was sealed when police were alerted.

“No one was hurt, which is fortunate for both of you,” he said.

The confiscation of weapons and ammunition was also ordered.

Detective Sergeant Richard Cooper of Police Scotland said: “Williamsson and Robinson acted recklessly, without thinking of the potential danger these illegal firearms could pose to the community.

“Our officers will continue to work to identify and target those who illegally possess firearms.”