Sun-toting iriver is freed
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WNER DRIVER Mr David ichter is free from a 12onth prison sentence — Lanks largely to Commercial afar.
He had been sentenced to ?, months' imprisonment at thridge magistrates' court December 12) after being und with a Luger automatic stol and 25 rounds of amunition at London Airport. And at Westminster County Durt On Tuesday he was freed ter circuit Judge B. S. Green ard evidence from CM's ?puty editor lain Sheriff who Lid that drivers on the Middle ast run often carried "deterIns" which ranged from a 're lever to a pistol.
Mr Richter was on his way Dusseldorf to repair his which had broken)wn en route for the Middle art, when he was arrested. He eaded guilty to the offences. Defending, Mr D. Mole told Le judge that because of his cperience on the Middle East in last year Mr Sherriff was talified to speak of the oubles which beset the ivers. He told the court of Le hazards which had to he ced from local people and )gs.
Answering a question from Sir Lionel Thompson for the Customs and Excise he told the court that as far as he knew there was not a market for guns among the criminal elements in London.
Upholding the appeal the judge said that while he agreed with the seriousness with which the magistrates had viewed the crime he felt that a fine would he more appropriate to give Mr Richter the chance to continue with his business as a transport operator.
He reduced the sentence to a fine of £75 on the charge of breaching the Protection of Aircraft Act and £25 for a breach of the Customs and Excise Act 1952.
After the hearing Mr Richter's solicitor said : "The success of the appeal has been largely due to the evidence of Mr Sherriff and the story which CM carried."