Jailed vicar loses appeal

Reverend Daggett appealed for a community sentence

A vicar who was jailed for four months for keeping a loaded gun at his vicarage has lost his appeal against the sentence.

Reverend Michael Daggett asked for an alternative, community-based punishment, during a hearing at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday.

However, Judge Peter Lakin ruled the jail term had been "entirely appropriate" after the vicar pleaded guilty earlier this week to a charge of possessing a firearm.

The Bishop of Hulme has expressed his dismay at the ruling.

Daggett became a vicar in Swinton in 1990

At a previous hearing Mr Daggett admitted keeping the loaded .22 calibre pistol in his vicarage at Swinton.

But he said it was an antique heirloom that was sent over from his family in America with other possessions more than a decade ago.

He said he had not realised he had been breaking the law by keeping it.

However, he told a probation officer it was also used for protection and he would "do what needed to be done" with it if necessary.

In rejecting the appeal the judge said that because of the increase in gun crime in Greater Manchester any fire arm offence had to be taken seriously.

'Taxpayers' expense'

He said the vicar had been "irresponsible" for keeping the loaded weapon and ammunition in his vicarage.

The weapon could have fallen in to the hands of criminals, the judge warned.

He said he had given the case "careful and anxious" consideration but felt the four- month sentence was appropriate.

After the hearing the Bishop of Hulme, the Right Reverend Stephen Lowe, said: "I can't see that a great deal is gained in further imprisonment at great expense to the taxpayer.

"So that concerns me and I'm sad about that."