Man 'obsessed with guns', court told

Richard Ashley denied the charges at Ipswich Crown Court

A gun dealer who had become "obsessed" with weapons had an illegal armoury which included rocket launchers, a court has been told.

Richard Ashley, 57, of Pakenham, Suffolk, denies five allegations of illegal possession of weapons.

On Wednesday, Ipswich Crown Court was told that police had raided Ashley's home in February 2001.

Police found scores of illegal weapons in his armoury, the court heard.

Craig Rush, prosecuting, told the jury that as a firearms dealer Mr Ashley was authorised to possess more than a hundred prohibited weapons including machine guns and semi-automatic rifles.

'Dangerous weapons'

"But he was not allowed to possess the most dangerous types of weapon such as rocket launchers," said Mr Rush.

He said police found weapons which Ashley was not authorised to possess and that he had more than the limit of weapons he was authorised to possess.

"Mr Ashley is a man who has an interest in firearms and, say the prosecution, that had really become something of an obsession," added Mr Rush.

"Mr Ashley was found to be in possession of weapons of a type he was never entitled to possess - rocket launchers, grenade launchers, riot guns."

The court heard that Mr Ashley's house was raided by police

Mr Rush added: "They are guns that really belong in the hands of the military. They are not for civilian use.

"When could there ever be a legitimate need for the use of a rocket launcher."

Mr Rush stressed that it was not the prosecution case that Mr Ashley, who also repairs weapons, intended to misuse the firearms found at his home.

But he said the laws relating to firearms were strict in order to prevent dangerous weapons getting into the hands of people who may misuse them.

Mr Rush said Mr Ashley would challenge the prosecution's case and firearms experts called by the prosecution and defence would analyse each weapon before the jury.

Jurors would also see each weapon and be given a chance to examine it.

Mr Rush added: "By the end of this case you are going to know so much about guns it is quite untrue."

The case is expected to last for four weeks.