Shotguns found at Carlisle scrap dealer's home

By Staff Reporter

Last updated at 11:44, Tuesday, 06 May 2014

A scrap car dealer has been fined 2,000 after police found shotguns in his home and a can of pepper spray.

Fifty-year-old Michael Douglas, who started working for his fathers firm when he was just eight years old, used the guns for shooting at foxes, Carlisle magistrates court heard.

The court heard how Douglas, who now runs Mike Douglas Auto Salvage, which had a 1.5m turnover last year, used the guns to scare the animals away from Highland cattle on his 50 acres of land at Etterby.

Prosecutor Diane Jackson said police went to the house on February 13 on another matter and found one gun near patio doors, another under a bed upstairs and two in the attic. Cartridges were found in an empty wardrobe, plus a can of pepper spray.

Defence solicitor John Greenwood said Douglas was a well known man in the city. He lives in an isolated area and foxes attack some of his Highland cattle and sheep on his land, he added, saying he shot at them from a bedroom window. The gun found near the patio door was 200 years old and he was restoring it, he added.

Mr Greenwood said Douglas spent most nights working on the gun, on his lap, watching TV on the patio.

He said Douglas had a passion for collecting guns and military memorabilia and had a secure cabinet in the house for his guns but had been a little careless on this occasion.

He said he had held a shotgun licence for more than 30 years without any problem and the police were called to his after a malicious allegation was made without any foundation.

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Shotguns found at Carlisle scrap dealer's home