Sawn-off shotgun and cartridges were recovered during police search in February 2023
A Belfast man who stored a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition in his coal bunker whilst under “pressure from others” has avoided an immediate prison sentence.
Gareth Rice, who was studying for a PHD when his home was searched in February 2023, was handed a 32-month sentence on Thursday which was suspended for three years.
From Abbey Park, the 31-year-old father-of-one made the case that he was asked by others to store a bag, but he did not know the contents and he felt under threat to do so.
He pleaded guilty to four offences: possessing a sawn-off double-barrelled 12-bore shotgun in suspicious circumstances, possessing 24 blue shotgun cartridges in suspicious circumstances, and possessing both the firearms and ammunition without holding a firearm certificate.
All charges relate to items found in the coal bunker of his house during a police search on February 1, 2023.
Belfast Crown Court heard officers searched the coal bunker and located a blue sports bag which was zipped close. It contained a rusty sawn-off shotgun which had been broken into three parts.
A Guinness cool bag containing blue shotgun shells and additional shells located in a B&M shopping bag were also seized by police.
Rice was arrested and three interviews were conducted over a two-day period.
Whilst he initially denied knowledge of the items found, he later admitted knowing about the bags but said he did not know what was inside.
He also told police he was acting under pressure and was fearful for his and his families’ lives, but failed to provide details about how he came to be in possession of the items.
Defence barrister Neil Connor KC said that as far back as the police interviews, Rice accepted knowledge of the items and that he was “under pressure” to store them.
Branding the case against Rice as “exceptional” and “unusual”, Mr Connor spoke of his client’s educational achievements which including a degree from Queens and studying for a PHD at the time of his arrest.
The PHD studies, Mr Connor revealed, “came to an end, at least for the foreseeable period of time”.
The defence barrister also spoke of his client’s completely clear criminal record, his family commitments and mental health issues.
Regarding the weapon, Mr Connor said it was “disassembled and unloaded” when found and said there was “no suggestion” Rice ever intended to use any of the items.
Mr Connor told Judge Catherine Chasemore: “You can be absolutely satisfied that Mr Rice will not involve himself with any form of criminality in the future.”
The Judge said: “The defendant has explained his involvement in these offences.
“He was studying for a PHD with a focus on the concepts of Unionism and he states that he therefore joined a flute band.
“He thinks this association may have led to undesirable individuals becoming aware of him and he was approached and told to store items.
“He says he felt his family would be at risk and therefore did so, stating he felt he had no other option.”
She added: “What is clear is that the defendant is a highly educated family man with a previous unblemished character.
As she sentenced Rice, the Judge said she accepted he stored the items due to “pressure from others” and that he was “not a member of any particular group” who would use the items.
She also told him that reports indicated he was “mentally vulnerable, making you susceptible to this type of pressure”.
Judge Chasemore imposed the 32-month sentence, which she suspended for three years.
