A man who was caught with a significant cache of firearms and ammunition, which he claimed were inherited from his father, has been sentenced to five years in prison. The High Court in Edinburgh rejected a plea to spare Karl Matthews, 48, from the mandatory minimum sentence for firearm possession.
Discovery of Firearms in Home Loft
On August 10 last year, police executed a firearms warrant at Matthews' home in Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, following intelligence that he was in possession of guns. During the search, officers uncovered a collection of weapons stored in the loft, including a First World War era Lee Enfield bolt action rifle and five handguns. The handguns comprised a Smith & Wesson revolver, a Colt frontier six-shooter, and a Ruger MKII pistol, along with associated ammunition.
Inheritance and Storage Conditions
The court heard that Matthews inherited the firearms from his father three years prior to the discovery. However, the weapons were stored in what were described as 'insecure conditions' within his home. Matthews admitted to 13 charges under firearms legislation, telling police that while he knew he should not have had the guns, he had never fired them.
Defence and Prosecution Arguments
Defence counsel Kevin Henry argued that Matthews' father had served in the Army and had a keen interest in firearms, suggesting this background influenced the situation. In contrast, advocate depute Anna Chisholm contended that there were no exceptional circumstances to justify deviating from the five-year statutory jail term. She emphasised that Matthews had possessed the weapons for 'a significant length of time' without taking appropriate steps to dispose of them lawfully.
Judge's Sentencing Remarks
In delivering the sentence, Lord Arthurson highlighted the seriousness of the offence, stating: 'This was not a single, long forgotten, antique weapon. Far from it.' He underscored that the cache included multiple firearms, some of which were handguns, and that their possession posed a potential risk to public safety.
The case underscores the strict enforcement of firearms legislation in the UK, particularly regarding the mandatory sentencing for possession offences. It also raises questions about the responsibilities of individuals who inherit such items, emphasising the need for proper legal disposal to avoid severe penalties.
