Paul Clarke.

[The Grockle]

Shotgun man faces years in jail - Channel 4 News

Some of you may be familiar with the story in the national press about Paul Clarke, a man who is facing 5 years in prison for handing in a shotgun to his local police station in Reigate.

Paul is a good friend of me and my family. My Dad who has known him since he was a toddler is pretty angry that he faces prosecution where as my Mum thinks he only has himself to blame and has little sympathy.

I really wanted to gauge opinion on here, so do people sympathise with him or was he stupid to hold on to the gun for so long?

Thanks.

 

[Dr Q]

Having had to go through the processes and hoop jumping to get a shotgun licence I can see where the police are coming from on this (it could have been used in that time with no potential trace), but it does seem a little harsh.

Should have just called the police straight away!

 

[Simster]

If I saw a firearm at the bottom of the garden, I think I'd be straight onto the phone to the police without touching it. Not that it should mean anyone who doesn't do that deserves 5 years inside, mind!

 

[The Grockle]

He called the police pretty soon after but only told them he had something to give them.

I feel for the guy as the local police have had it in for him Mr Gold for years. I think the only reason the police pursued it is because his step Dad’s son has been in prison for armed robbery before.

 

[strings]

I sypathise with both sides of the arguement really. He, of course, just seemed to be doing his civic duty by handing in a shotgun. But why on earth did he hold on to the weapon for 4 days before handing it in? He should have been straight on the blower to the police telling them that he had discvered a shotgun. I feel sorry for the guy, but I really cannot understand why he felt the need to not bring the fact to the police's attention straight away.

 

[The Grockle]

If I saw a firearm at the bottom of the garden, I think I'd be straight onto the phone to the police without touching it. Not that it should mean anyone who doesn't do that deserves 5 years inside, mind!

I think you'd know both him and his step Dad Simster, the step Dad lives down Holmesdale road next to Barry Buckles' shoe repairs?

 

[Simster]

I think you'd know both him and his step Dad Simster, the step Dad lives down Holmesdale road next to Barry Buckles' shoe repairs?

I don't recognise him to be honest.

 

[sten_super]

I must confess I've not heard about this before. However, having read that article, it's clear that while he did make a mistake in his handling of it (and questions have to be asked as to why he did that; was he trying to score points with the police? or piss them off? or was it a genuine error of judgement?) his offence is not (to me) in any way deserving of a 5 year sentence. I can't believe that the CPS and the Police have said that 'they accept that Mr Clarke found the gun' and yet have persued the case.

 

[The Grockle]

I don't recognise him to be honest.

Mr Gold is well known in the area for various reasons. Comes from a well known wealthy jewish family.

 

[Gritt23]

Seems utterly ridiculous to me. I agree with his lawyer, that it would send out completely the wrong message to anyone else finding a firearm.

 

[wellquickwoody]

I think you'd know both him and his step Dad Simster, the step Dad lives down Holmesdale road next to Barry Buckles' shoe repairs?

Is he a Palace fan? If so, he should go down for longer!

 

[The Grockle]

Is he a Palace fan? If so, he should go down for longer!

Nope, doesn't follow football. I think the step dad might have a bit of a soft spot for them though!

 

[HampshireSeagulls]

Waiting four days to hand in a firearm is silly, what was he doing with it - showing it off, messing around with it, trying to sell it on? He should have offloaded it straight away. That said, the police need to be flexible with this - if the weapon has not been used by the bloke then they should say "thanks" and get on with it.

 

[Deleted User X18H]

I don't care what anyone says he was a great player for us.

 

[Southover Street Seagull]

What sort of direction did the jury get from the judge during the trial to find the bloke guilty? I must admit I would have found it very difficult to find the bloke guilty after what the CPS and the police said.