Royal Marine reservist charged with firearms offences

5 Sep 2016 02:17 PM

Martin Shannon, 43, from Hythe in Southampton, has recently appeared in court charged with offences relating to:



• sale or transfer of a prohibited weapon contrary to the Firearms Act (handgun)

• sale or transfer of a prohibited weapon contrary to the Firearms Act (assault rifle)

• possession of a shortened shotgun contrary to the Firearms Act

• purchase/acquisition of 1400 rounds of ammunition without certificate, contrary to the Firearms Act

• possession of 7 HE grenades contrary to the Explosive Substances Act

Shannon, a serving Royal Marine reservist, was arrested in Winnall, Winchester on 1 September following a covert operation led by the NCA's Armed Operations Unit, supported by the Joint Operations Unit from Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary, and in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence.

The grenades, ammunition, assault weapon and handgun were seized by officers at the time of Shannon's arrest.

Shannon, of Hythe, Southampton, appeared this morning (3 September) at Reading Magistrates Court, and was remanded in custody. He will next appear at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) on 30 September 2016.



Rob Lewin, Head of Specialist Operations at the NCA said:
 


“Working with our colleagues from Joint Operations Unit in Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary, as well as the MOD, we have arrested an individual who we believe posed a significant risk to the public.
 


“The weapons we have seized are extremely dangerous and we will continue to work with our partners as our investigation continues.
 


“At this time, there is no link to terrorism nor is there any link to the arrest made last week by our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police Service”.