A GUN-lover who was caught attempting to import an illegal weapon has narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence.

Paul Harbron's high-calibre air weapon was seized by customs officials before it reached his North Yorkshire home.

The 52-year-old bought the Kral Puncher weapon from a Dutch website in the days before regulation changes were imposed post-Brexit.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the defendant fully co-operated with the authorities and believed the weapon he bought was legal in the UK, however, a simply conversion rendered the gun illegal.

Vicki Lamballe, prosecuting, said the butt of the weapon can be detached resulting in it going from a lawful weapon to an unlawful weapon under the UK's firearms legislation.

She said: "He accepted by the weapon from an online store around December 31, he said he bought the item using a Mastercard and bought it online before the post-Brexit rules began, with the intention of saving himself some money."

Miss Lamballe said the defendant told officers he intended to use the firearm for target practice and had given a 'full and frank' interview.

Harbron, of Eastfield Avenue, Richmond, pleaded guilty to purchasing a handgun – a prohibited weapon – which entered the country on January 12.

Stephen Hamill, in mitigation, said Harbron was a careful gun-user and had made a genuine mistake was he bought the weapon online.

He told the court that the case hanging over his client had taken 'a heavy toll on his health' and had been a 'horrific experience' for him.

Judge Timothy Stead passed a 12 month custodial sentence, suspended for two years.

He said: "For a long time he has had a genuine and indeed lawful interest in shooting sports, he has been the holder of a firearms licence and he has an interest in target shooting.

"There is no complaint about any of that and has been conducted responsibly."

He was also ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work and pay the court costs.

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