Teen hid shotgun in wardrobe
A YOUNG woman has been jailed for four years after she hid a 12-bore sawn-off shotgun in her wardrobe.
Jennifer Robinson told stunned officers she was looking after the weapon for a friend.
Earlier, as police arrested her for burglary and criminal damage at a hostel last July, she said she wanted to get her shoes from her room.
"She said, 'if you go in there, I might as well tell you there is a shotgun in there inside a wardrobe'," said prosecutor Mark Knowles.
Robinson, 19, of no fixed address, was on bail for burgling the home of Joseph Cooper in Barkla Close, Clifton, last May. She stole jewellery and his late father's Army medals.
After the sentencing Mr Cooper, 72, said: "I'm pleased with the sentence and glad she is going to prison. She is evil.
"I haven't got my dad's medals back and that's still upsetting.
"I'd had them for years and they were sentimental."
At Nottingham Crown Court, she was sentenced to four years for having the gun, three years for Mr Cooper's burglary, 12 months for a burglary in a room at the hostel and two months for damaging property, all to run concurrently.
She asked for six more offences of house burglary, between 2006 and 2009, to be taken into consideration. She admitted all the charges. The court heard the gun was in Robinson's care for several days. Traces of gunshot residue indicated the gun had been fired.
Judge Michael Stokes QC said: "Given its condition, I can't find any lawful reason for firing it, other than testing it to commit a criminal offence."
Emma Coverley, in mitigation, described Robinson as a "custodian" of the weapon for a scared friend who was arrested during the inquiry.
Robinson provided a statement to police in relation to the woman, but she had denied everything in the statement.
The Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence against her, the court heard.
The single-barrel weapon was concealed in bin bags and had not been touched or moved.
"Had she not mentioned this to police, they may not have found it themselves," said Miss Coverley. "Her friend was scared, in tears, felt threatened."
rebecca.sherdley@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
7 Comments
by dave, notts
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 8:07PM
“this is atrosious whats this world coming 2 having 2 bolt down ya toilet seet and hiding ya suger bowl! 2 years aint long enough what was this judge thinking!!!!”
by MadBadger, The Sett
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 7:51PM
“Those that call for the hanging of people should be hanged.”
by Bongle, Cloud cuckoo land
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 4:42PM
“But not just a shotgun, this was a sawn off shotgun probably the vilest of weapons in the hands of a villain. A weapon deliberately sawn down for concealment and obviously tested for planned future use.
If caught with a firearm and one as vile and covert as a sawn off shotgun the minimum sentence should be 10 years irrespective of who the owner is. There can be no reasonable excuse for holding such an offensive weapon.”
by A.Nottsdweller, Nottingham
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 3:17PM
“So, 2 years inside for possession of the shotgun.
NO punishment for the 7 cases of burglary and criminal damage.
Not too bad for her is it!”
by mumbo gumbo, notts
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 11:38AM
“Not often you hear of female burglars. Or burglars getting caught for that matter!! I agree with Sonny, she will be no more than a mere pawn in the game of thieving scumbags. And Yes another English war hero shat on.”
by Sonny, South Notts
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 11:14AM
“She sounds like she's involved with a wider group of criminals to me, someone got the gun for her and no doubt showed her how to use it.
Feel sorry for Mr cooper as well. His dad's medals are irreplaceable....another English war hero shat on.”
by Mel, City
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 8:18AM
“Scum bag, hang the scum.”