Owner-driver with Luger is jailed
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AN OWNER-DRIVER who entered Britain through London's Heathrow Airport with a 1916 Luger automatic pistol and 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition without declaring them at Customs was jailed for 12 months from Uxbridge magistrates' court last week. Two charges were laid under the protection of Aircraft Act and the Customs and Excise Act 1952, to which David Richter, 34, of Wilton Road, Muswell Hill, London, pleaded guilty.
Mr D. Mole, appearing for Richter, told the court that as an owner-driver engaged on Middle East traffic he had been carrying the gun as protection against wild dogs which roamed in packs in the South Turkish mountains.
Richter's vehicle had broken down in Dusseldorf, and to obtain spares he flew back to London, said Mr Mole. When packing his belongings he thought it wise to take the gun with him.
Because of his own experience on a run to the Middle East last April, CM's deputy editor, Mr lain Sherriff, was called to explain to the magistrates what conditions prevailed over the Turkish section of the 3,500-mile route. He said he had encountered a number of drivers of many nationalities who carried guns or knives as "deterrents."
It was later explained in court that if Richter's gun had been surrendered to Customs it could have been reclaimed when the owner was once more leaving the country.
The chairman of the magistrates told Richter : "We take a serious view of the matter in view of what is happening in this country today." He passed sentence on the first charge of 12 months and three months on the second charge, to run concurrently. An appeal is being considered.