MP slams judge over gun sentence

Mr McCabe says the sentence gives the wrong message to society.

A Birmingham MP has criticised a judge after he decided not to jail a man who took a loaded gun into a nightclub.

Edwin Hayward, 23, of Finstall Close, Nechells, Birmingham, claimed he found the weapon in a car park and thought it was a cigarette lighter.

He was given a 200 hour community service order.

Labour MP Steve McCabe, who represents Birmingham Hall Green, said the offence merited a custodial sentence and that Hayward's story had been absurd.

Mr McCabe who has campaigned for stiffer penalties for firearms crime said: "I really do wonder how gullible the judge can be.

It signals that if you are smart, cheeky and tell some absurd story, you can get away with it Steve McCabe

"No one in their right mind would believe this story - to say you found a gun in a car park and thought it was a lighter is beyond belief.

"The real issue is that this man broke the law - he deliberately entered a Birmingham nightclub with an illegal firearm."

The MP added that the sentence gave the wrong message to society at a time when the Government and police were attempting to crack down on gun crime.

"It signals that if you are smart, cheeky and tell some absurd story, you can get away with it", he said.

Birmingham Crown Court heard at Monday's hearing that Hayward, who was convicted of possessing a firearm in a public place, had been drinking at the Garry Owen club in Small Heath.

He had left the venue before returning with the converted air pistol, which was found in his waistband.

Tom Kenning, defending, said his client believed the object to be a lighter and had acted foolishly.