Claims of firearms purchases on Facebook
A 20-year-old who said he had bought six firearms from someone on Facebook was sentenced to a year in prison for unlawfully possession of the guns and their ammunition.
Michael Paul Joseph Hasselberg-Williams was sentenced on four charges of receiving stolen property, six charges of possessing firearms, one of possession of the ammunition, and a burglary.
Defence counsel Richard McGuire said Hasselberg-Williams said he obtained the firearms for hunting, but overdid it.
The guns were found in his car when he had to leave the farm he had been working on.
While in town things unravelled, and without employment he turned to drink, he said.
Judge John Strettell said there had been a large number of firearms taken in various house burglaries in and around Christchurch, which ended up in the boot of Hasselberg-Williams’ car.
He said he did not have a firearms licence and had no right to possess them.
While on bail for the firearms charges Hasselberg-Williams entered a property, damaged it, and searched cupboards and drawers. He was identified by his fingerprints.
Judge Strettell said the guilty pleas showed that Hasselberg-Williams knew he was not dealing with the guns innocently or legally.
He said Hasselberg-Williams had had 11 convictions in the district court and one term of prison, but was only 20.
He said it was an area of concern for the public when firearms were sold or given to people without licences, because they could go into inappropriate hands.
Hasselberg-Williams’ family had concerns about his abuse of alcohol, sense of entitlement, and his associates, he said.
Judge Strettell said a home detention sentence was not appropriate and his probation report did not recommend a community-based sentence because of his previous list of breaches of community-based sentences and release conditions.
He sentenced him to one year prison with a condition that he attend and complete drug and alcohol programmes recommended by his probation officer, and pay $300 reparation for the burglary victim.
Category: News
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