Fine for caretaker expelled by Gun Club

At Rochdale Magistrates Court on Wednesday Paul Fell (36) of Littleborough admitted three charges of having a total of 158 rounds of ammunition not as authorised, two charges of having shotgun cartridges not in accordance with a shotgun certificate, and a charge of having a shotgun barrel not securely held in accordance with a certificate.

The court heard the discovery was made by a teacher at Norden Primary School where Fell was caretaker.

Mr Tom Morton, prosecuting, said the teacher was shocked to find ammunition and firearm equipment in a storeroom where cleaning materials were kept.

Other firearm articles were found in his mother's home in Bamford.

Fell told police: "I only load the ammunition and I was moving it to my mother's house because I've nowhere else to do it."

Mr Don Owen, representing Fell, said his client had held a gun licence since 1982. He had been careless about seeing everything was in its proper place and secure.

"He deeply regrets the alarm he caused at the school where he has been caretaker for six years with an excellent relationship with the children and parents."

The magistrates fined him £500 for having 61 rounds of ammunition, not in accordance with a firearm certificate, at the school.

On all other charges he was given a conditional discharge for two years and ordered to pay £75 costs.

Fell has been suspended by the school and last month was expelled by the committee of Bury Shooting Sports Club where he had been a member.

The committee told him he had brought the club and shooting sports in general "into disrepute".

After the court case, Fell confirmed he had been asked to leave the club.

"The committee feel it is necessary in the light of what has happened. I've finished with it anyway. It's not worth the hassle."

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