Man jailed over arms hoard

A FORMER soldier has been jailed after police found an arsenal of weapons in his lock-up garage in Uckfield as well as his attic.

Lewes Crown Court heard how Michael Homard had an 'obsession' with weaponry and built up a collection of pistols, handguns, ammunition and military memorabilia.

Homard, 45, kept his collection despite strict firearm legislation introduced in 1997 after the Dunblane massacre.

Firearms

Depressed Homard, of Stonehouse Drive, St Leonards, admitted five counts of possession of prohibited firearms and one of possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate.

He also admitted a further charge of possessing a prohibited weapon.

The court heard how police had found the stash in the attic of the home he then lived at in Firwood Close, Eastbourne, after being tipped off by his estranged wife.

They found a further collection at a lock-up garage he rented in Selby Road, Uckfield. Among the arsenal were four pistols, ammunition and barrels. Officers also found component parts necessary to make nine sub-machine guns.

Prosecutor Nicholas Hall said: 'The police had been told by this defendant's wife it seems that divorce proceedings were activated at that point.

'It was July 14, 2002, when police searched both the premises. It is fair to say that the police when they examined the premises found a large amount of firearms and militaria.'

Defending, Peter Clark told the court that Homard was passionate about armoury, but not obsessive.

He added that Homard had acquired some of the weaponry from an elderly friend and ex-serviceman.

He said: 'He knew he wouldn't do anything untoward with them and that they were better in his hands than in others.'

The court heard that Homard had himself served as a regular soldier in the army and also in the Territorial Army.

Sentencing him to a total of 15 months, Judge Richard Hayward said: 'The seven counts reflect only some of the firearms recovered but I make it clear I sentence you only on those seven counts.

'This is an extremely sad case, you are 45 years old, you have served your country as a regular soldier and in the Territorial Army.

'Dunblane'

'You're fully aware of the law and those restrictions. Indeed, when the legislation was implemented in 1997 following the Dunblane massacre you handed in a handgun.

'A disturbing factor in this case is that while suffering from severe depression and a lot of stress you had very easy access to these weapons a potentially fatal situation.'

Judge Hayward also ordered the weapons be destroyed and banned Homard from ever owning a firearms licence.