[2008] EWCA Crim 1258

The imposition of the mandatory minimum term of five years' imprisonment for offences of possession of a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition was justified, as neither the circumstances of the offence nor those of the offender were exceptional. Despite innocent acquisition of the items, which were particularly suitable for use in serious crime, the offender had failed to hand them in to the police and had left them in a place and in circumstances which gave rise to a serious risk they would fall into the wrong hands.

CA (Crim Div) (David Clarke J, MacDuff J)

16/05/2008