D. Hodson

The accused was charged with four counts relating to the unlawful possession of a .22 calibre rifle and a sawed-off shotgun.

During the execution of a search warrant at the accused's residence, police located the rifle in his closet and the shotgun outside a broken window.

Photos of the accused holding the shotgun were also found on his cellphone.

The court found that the circumstantial evidence, including the location of the firearms and ammunition in the accused's bedroom, established beyond a reasonable doubt that he was in possession of both firearms.

The accused was found guilty of two counts, with the remaining two stayed under the Kienapple principle.

The accused pleaded guilty to multiple offences arising from the possession of a loaded handgun found under a pillow in his bedroom.

At the time, he was bound by a weapons prohibition order and had a previous criminal record including firearms offences.

The court accepted a joint submission for a sentence of five years' imprisonment.

After applying credit for pre-trial custody, the accused was sentenced to 28 months going forward, along with a lifetime weapons prohibition, a DNA order, and an $800 victim surcharge.