Ex-soldier faces jail for handing in gun

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by Gary L

Apart from this.

http://www.thisissurreytoday.co.uk/g...l/article.html

But is this the same Paul Clarke?

Unless there are two Paul Clarkes in Merstham, both aged 27 this year, then yes, it is the same person.

[Flyboy]

So that really goes to my theory in an earlier post, regarding the Capone prosecution. But it seems, as he is known to the police, it is probably all they could prove.

We had a rather distasteful neighbour in our street, almost any crime in the area that was committed, he was connected to. Any anti-social behaviour, it was he who was at the centre of it. For example, setting of display fireworks at three o'clock in the morning, in the middle of the street. Unfortunately none of his closer neighbours would dare stand up in court as witnesses to his activities. He was caught then with not exactly a large quantity of cannabis, but he was sentenced to the maximum four years in prison.

Yes, that was my first thought as I read the DVLA story. It seems the police and CPS are peeved that he won an appeal against his conviction in that case and have therefore thrown the book at him at the next available opportunity.

[Flyboy]

That wasn't really the intention of my post. It is very possible that he has a history of these things and he is just very good at getting away with them.

However, that said, we still don't know the full facts of this story, such as what was the history of the weapon and how it came to be in his garden.

[Derek]

My thoughts are that he might have form for trying to get attention and the 'Oh look I've found a shotgun' I'll take it to the Police was a shotgun he obtained himself.

Mr Clarke said he had confronted Mr Hart because he thought he had seen him trying to steal something from his pick-up truck.

"I didn't realise he was a DVLA inspector. He might have been a prolific thief," he said.

Seems a bit too eager to do his bit. The whole story reminds me of the ex-soldier who allegedly rescued the cop in Manchester when he fell over and started getting a kicking from some rangers fans.
He got done with wasting Police time a few months later when he made up a story about jumping into a canal to rescue someone, when the Police turned up the person he 'rescued' had run off and all his clothes had miraculously dried.

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by Derek S

My thoughts are that he might have form for trying to get attention and the 'Oh look I've found a shotgun' I'll take it to the Police was a shotgun he obtained himself.

I think it all points to him seeking attention. anybody else would call the police if they found a gun. all his actions were out of the ordinary.

he left it till next day, and made an appointment without telling them what for? if they knew he was wanting to bring a gun they would send them straight round before he got off the phone.

it sounds like it was still a secret even when he turned up at the police station. they had to wait till he opened the bag to find out what it was. anybody else would have said.

[Derek]

Well he avoided being put inside.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/surrey/8421485.stm

Reading Crown Court heard Clarke found a bin liner containing a shotgun in March and was arrested when he handed it in four days later.

Judge Christopher Critchlow said the minimum sentence for possessing a firearm was normally five years, but it was a "highly unusual case" and gave Clarke 12-month sentence, suspended for one year.

Sounds like he has had a good few run ins with the law before.

The court was told Clarke had previously been convicted of handling stolen goods in 2001, of possessing a stun-gun in 2002 and of affray in 2008.

A spokeswoman for Surrey Police said: "Clarke was given the opportunity to explain the full circumstances of how this lethal and prohibited weapon came to be in his possession.

"This explanation lacked credibility and a report was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

[rogerdraig]

ah well if this hasnt brought him enough fame i expect we will see him on a reality show soon