Scrapyard owner admitting hoarding arsenal of weapons ‘to protect his business’
By
Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 7:13 PM on 15th February 2011
Discovered: James Allen, 78, was caught with an armoury at his scrapyard business in London
An elderly scrapyard owner faced five years in jail tonight after admitting hoarding an arsenal of weapons to protect his business.
James Allen, 78, known as Jimmy, was caught with a single shot revolver and a stun gun at his business in Clapham, south west London.
The weapons were discovered by Met officers acting on a tip-off in a locked office at Sunbeam Motors in May last year.
Allen told officers a European American Armoury Corp single action revolver was a 'cowboy gun' he planned to hang on the wall.
The search also uncovered a 'Titan Protector' stun gun, ammunition and an air rifle, which Allen was barred from possessing.
The scrapyard owner later said he did not know the weapons were illegal and purchased them to protect his business.
A Met spokesman said he admitted possessing a gun, ammunition and a stun gun at Inner London Crown Court today.
Two further charges of possessing a single shot revolver and ammunition were ordered to remain on file.
Lethal: The single shot revolver which was found in the possession of James Allen in May last year
The minimum sentence for possession of a firearm by an adult is five years imprisonment.
Detective Inspector Steve Ellen, of the Met, said: 'Allen was found in possession of dangerous weapons, which included a live firing revolver with ammunition.
Officers acting on a tip-off found this stun gun and a revolver in a locked office at Sunbeam Motors, Clapham
'His guilty plea today was in the face of overwhelming evidence. The Met is committed to removing these weapons from the streets of London.'
Allen, of Fitzwilliam Road, Clapham, will appear at the same court for pre-sentence reports on March 8.
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