Jailed gun collector in call for tougher laws
A MAN jailed after a huge stash of illegally held weapons was seized at his home by police has written to the Echo from his prison cell – and called for a tightening of gun laws.
In his letter from Exeter Prison, Robert Shaw, 41, apologised for his actions.
-
OBSESSIVE: Robert Shaw was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison
Shaw, from Seabrook Mews, Topsham, was described in court as an obsessive gun collector and was given a sentence of two years and eight months.
He admitted 10 offences of having firearms without a certificate, and further counts of fraud at Exeter Crown Court.
The former owner of the Walter Wall flooring shop in Exeter's Polsloe Road had firearms worth £20,000, including a German gun from the Second World War and a sniper's rifle at his home and another address.
Judge Victor Salomonsen called for the law to be tightened after being told Shaw was easily able to buy guns by using forged firearm certificates.
In his letter to the Echo Shaw said: "I accept how I gained further firearms which needed a licence was totally wrong.
"I also feel that I have let my family down, in particular my partner. I have also let down a friend."
He added: "I can understand why this has been of interest – this is due to the crimes people have committed in the past and no doubt will do in the future with firearms. They can be very dangerous in the wrong hands. I started collecting antique firearms last year due to an interest I have had for a long time.
"It was only due to my over-enthusiasm which led me to succumb to temptation of buying them in the manner I did.
"As the court mentioned, there were no sinister motives why I had the collection other than my own curiosity."
Shaw claimed the sentence was set to make an example to others not to carry out the same crime. He said: "I hope good has come out of my actions in that people have been complaining about how easy it is to obtain firearms for many years. As usual this has fallen on deaf ears, maybe now this will change."
But Shaw's former wife Sally, 40, said she was disappointed he did not get a longer sentence.
The mother-of-three, from Stoke Hill, Exeter, said: "It should have been 10 years. The sentence he was given has not been a deterrent. I have asked the CPS to appeal the sentence in an effort to get the jail term increased. They are looking into it."
5 Comments
by jessshaw
Monday, October 17 2011, 12:56PM
“to 'sallyireland' aka my so called mum. dad done nothing wrong, i haven't written to him therefore he has not written to me, stop thinking your all all big and clever by writing stuff on the internet because your not. he done nothing wrong.”
by The Gandy Street Kitchen
Wednesday, July 20 2011, 4:59PM
“This poor man did not harm anyone
just has an interest in guns like a lot of us do
when i think of all the s*** that have commited violent crime out of their heads on drugs it makes me weep.
top man Rob
x”
by ginsterman1
Wednesday, July 20 2011, 4:37PM
“Wow is she bitter of what? He said and the court agreed that the crime wasnt for malicious motives but for a collection. He has admitted his guilt and is remorseful so his ex is proposing that he is sentenced for longer than most rapists and many murderers get! Lets have a sense of perspective about this.”
by woe_is_me1
Wednesday, July 20 2011, 12:23AM
“Because he knows a deranged ex won't open his letters to the Echo first?”
by sallyireland
Tuesday, July 19 2011, 8:28PM
“if he can write to the echo for sympathy,why cant he write to his daughter,in 11 weeks? ****”