Man who Forgot Revolver in Shed Sentenced with a Fine and Community Work
Philip Hill, a 63-year-old man from Chepstow Road in Caldicot, found himself in a predicament when police discovered a revolver in his garden shed. Hill claimed that he had forgotten about the weapon’s presence there. The revolver had been stored in his shed for three years before its discovery during a police search of his property. The case unfolded at Newport Crown Court on February 3, 2025, where Hill pleaded guilty to the possession of a firearm.
In light of his actions, Hill was given a suspended 12-month prison sentence, along with 200 hours of unpaid work and a £1,187 fine. The court learned that Hill, a member of his local re-enactment society with a passion for war history, held a firearms licence since the 1970s. Despite renewing it annually without incident, the discovery of the forgotten revolver landed him in legal trouble.
During an arrest on March 23, 2023, unrelated to the firearm, police uncovered the rusty and inoperable double-action revolver in Hill’s shed. The court heard that an acquaintance had entrusted Hill with disposing of the weapon, leading to its storage in the shed. However, due to a cancelled meeting with an armourer prompted by the Covid pandemic, Hill forgot about the firearm’s presence.
The prosecution highlighted the lack of appropriate safety measures in Hill’s shed, where the revolver had remained stored for three years unnoticed. As a longstanding firearms licence holder, dating back to the 1970s, Hill was expected to exercise greater responsibility. The court was informed that Hill’s involvement in the re-enactment society, which led to the possession of other replica weapons, contributed to his oversight of the real revolver.
In his defence, Hill’s legal team emphasised his community involvement and intention to dispose of the firearm. They argued that the peculiar circumstances surrounding the cancelled armourer meeting and the revolver’s storage amidst other replica weapons led to Hill’s forgetfulness. Although acknowledging his failure to follow through on disposing of the revolver promptly, they painted a picture of an otherwise law-abiding and forgetful individual.
The case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of handling firearms responsibly, regardless of one’s background or interests. Hill’s forgetfulness in this instance resulted in legal repercussions and a stern reminder of the need for stringent safety measures. The sentence handed down to him acts as a reminder to firearm owners everywhere to uphold the highest standards of care and vigilance in handling such potentially dangerous items.
As society grapples with ongoing challenges, including the ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic, individuals like Hill must remain vigilant and accountable for their possessions. The case underscores the potential consequences of overlooking firearms’ presence, even in seemingly innocuous settings like a garden shed. Hill’s experience serves as a reminder of the legal and personal responsibilities that come with owning potentially hazardous items like firearms.