A company director who imported pepper sprays from China because he was concerned after his wife's friend was followed has been spared jail. Marcus Gunn, 53, of Spilsby Crescent, Cramlington, was caught when Border Force officers intercepted a parcel marked as 'self-defence sprays'.
Parcel interception and police search
In April last year, Border Force officers intercepted and opened a parcel sent from a Chinese exporter and addressed to Gunn at his then-home in Cramlington, Northumberland. Newcastle Crown Court heard the package was marked as being "two self-defence sprays". They were pepper sprays, which are categorised as prohibited weapons under the Firearms Act.
In September, police went to the 53-year-old's home and found another pepper spray along with items, including a knuckle duster and extendable baton, for which he was not charged.
Explanation and sentencing
Giving an explanation for why he wanted the pepper sprays, Gunn said his wife's friend had been followed in a car park so he ordered the pepper sprays as a precaution. Judge Graham Robinson told him: "I take at face value the explanation you gave, that you became aware of a friend of your wife being followed in a car park and became concerned about what defence measures may be available."
"As a result, you began online searches and came across a supplier in China who would provide pepper spray and you ordered at least two pepper sprays. You may not have known it at the time, but they are considered to be weapons prohibited under the Firearms Act."
"Somehow, the Border Force agency learned of this - perhaps because the parcels sent from China had a declaration of contents as 'self-defence spray'. Pretty obviously, that would have excited the attention of whoever saw that."
The judge said Gunn's wife had given him a "hard word" about his behaviour and added: "You are very lucky to have someone standing by you and who is prepared to give you the hard word and cause you to reflect on the foolishness that brings you before the crown court."
"I'm prepared to accept, this apart, you are a good law-abiding, hard-working citizen." The court heard Gunn is the director of a company and employs seven people across two locations.
Sentence and impact
Gunn, who has 22 previous convictions but none since 2008, pleaded guilty to importing a prohibited weapon and possession a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid. He was sentenced to 12 months suspended for 18 months with 150 hours unpaid work. He must also pay a £500 fine and £150 costs.
