Jury to consider gun 'obsession'

A Devon bus driver on trial over importing firearms through a US website said he was like a "child in a sweet shop" when he saw what was on offer.

Jeremy Couchman, 53, from Tor Church Road in Torquay, has pleaded not guilty to a total of 18 charges.

These include possessing prohibited weapons and possessing weapons without a firearms certificate.

The jury at Exeter Crown Court has been asked to consider if Mr Couchman had an "unhealthy obsession" with guns.

Mr Couchman told the court he was interested in the US Civil War and the West.

'Dangerous hobby'

He said he thought anything over 100-years-old on the Joe Salter weapons and accessories website was an antique and would not need a firearms certificate.

"I was very particular about this because I knew this was a dangerous hobby to be involved in," Mr Couchman said.

He has denied 11 charges of possessing eight revolvers, two pistols and a double-barrelled Derringer handgun.

Charges of purchasing ammunition without a firearm certificate have also been denied.

The court was told police found the weapons at Mr Couchman's home after ammunition from the US website was impounded by Customs and Excise.

Curiosity or ornament

"I thought I was on safe ground here," he told the jury, explaining the website boasted it regularly sent items to the UK.

Prosecutor Jonathan Barnes said Couchman did not hold and had never held any relevant firearm or shotgun certificate.

He asked the jury to consider whether Couchman was a collector or had an "unhealthy obsession with guns and was interested in their use".

The trial continues.