[A] SOUTH Cumbria man who admitted firearm licence breaches has won his appeal against the suspended prison term he received.
Thomas Wilkinson-Dover, 24, was sentenced by magistrates last month. He admitted two counts of breaching a firearms certificate condition by not keeping guns secure.
A shotgun was found in its case under a bed at his home. The rifle was inside a wardrobe as his girlfriend’s address – where two young children lived.
Wilkinson-Dover received an eight-week prison sentence – suspended for 12 months – but lodged an appeal against the “disproportionate” punishment.
That appeal was heard, and allowed, at Carlisle Crown Court yesterday (FRI).
Wilkinson-Dover, of Beckside, Cartmel, admitted to police he was “lazy and careless”.
It was said on his behalf the two children were not present when the rifle was at their home, nor was there any corresponding ammunition “anywhere near” either of the unsecured firearms. His certificate had since been cancelled.
Recorder David Swinnerton and two magistrates concluded unanimously that a custodial sentence was not the only appropriate punishment.
Instead the judge imposed a community order and 150 hours’ unpaid work.
