Jury out in firearms trial

Richard Astley was licensed to deal in some weapons

A jury has retired in the trial of a firearms expert accused of keeping illegally held weapons.

Richard Ashley, 57, of Pakenham, Suffolk, denies five charges of possessing prohibited weapons without the permission of the Home Office.

During a two-month trial, Ipswich Crown Court heard that Mr Ashley lectured on firearms and weapons to soldiers and was an armourer for Suffolk and Norfolk Police.

The prosecution claimed Mr Ashley kept weapons he was not licensed to hold - including rocket and grenade launchers - and had more firearms than his licences permitted.

The jury was sent out to consider a verdict on Tuesday and will return to court on Wednesday to continue its deliberations.

Mr Ashley was arrested in February 2001 following a raid at his home.

His defence lawyer Martyn Levett said the police had targeted Mr Ashley after they had not succeeded in convicting another firearms dealer from the Cambridge area.

Mr Ashley also claimed some of the weapons were antiques.