Man jailed for five years after revolver-style air weapon found in car
A 47-year-old man from Woodville has been sentenced to five years in prison after a black revolver-style air weapon was discovered in his car.
Kevin Chaderton, of Hartshorne Road, Woodville, appeared at Derby Crown Court on August 7, where he was jailed after previously admitting possession of a prohibited weapon – namely an air weapon with a self-contained gas cartridge system.
The case dates back to February 23, when police, who had cause to search for a black Vauxhall Insignia, found the vehicle parked outside a property in Hartshorne Road, Woodville.
According to reports, Chaderton attempted to close the front gates to the driveway when he spotted officers, while a woman with him tried to get into the driver's seat. Both were detained.
A black revolver was recovered from the front footwell of the passenger seat, along with a tin of air cartridge pellets.
At the roadside, Chaderton said the weapon was an air pistol with pellets, that he used them for shooting, and that he was the owner. He later answered "no comment" to all questions during a police interview.
The court also ordered the weapon to be destroyed.
PC Thomas Langley, of the Swadlincote Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "Illegal firearms obviously pose a serious risk to the safety of the public and we take such offences very seriously here in Derbyshire.
"In addition, the courts take a very dim view of offenders caught with such weapons – as this case shows.
"Anyone caught with an illegal firearm can expect to face the full force of the law and you could find yourself with a very lengthy jail sentence, much like Chaderton has."