Non-custodial sentence for possession of a Taser

Natalie Bird, instructed by Paul Cameron of Bark & Co, secured a conditional discharge for a military veteran who was originally charged with purchasing a disguised firearm (a torch-like taser) contrary to s5(1A)(a) of the Firearms Act 1968, which attracts a mandatory minimum 5-year custodial sentence.

Representations were made to the CPS that, given the lack of aggravating features, a lesser charge under s5(1)(b) should be laid, citing the CPS’s own recently published charging guidance to that effect. The lesser charge was offered and pleaded to, avoiding the mandatory minimum custodial sentence.

After mitigation the Judge was persuaded to impose a 12 month conditional discharge.