[2012] EWCA Crim 2734

There were exceptional circumstances justifying a departure from the minimum required term of five years' imprisonment for possession of firearms in the case of a serving sergeant with an exemplary disciplinary record. Where the reasons for the failure to return the firearms had been due to the aftermath of his return from service, the death of a close colleague and a brain injury, the appropriate sentence was one of 12 months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months.

CMAC (Lord Judge LCJ, Fulford J, Bean J)

29/11/2012