Gun dealer 'obsessed' with weapons

Richard Ashley denied the charges at Ipswich Crown Court

A gun dealer who 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 Mr Ashley's home in February 2001 following an 18-month investigation.

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

But Martyn Levett, defending, said Mr Ashley, who was an armourer for Suffolk and Norfolk police for a number of years, was not a threat, simply a collector and expert.

Semi-automatic rifile

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

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

"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 Rush stressed that it was not the prosecution case that Mr Ashley 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.

The case continues.