Man avoids prison sentence

Sept. 1, 2012, 4 a.m.

A GEURIE man has escaped combined maximum jail sentences totalling 24 years after pleading guilty to firearm and drug possession charges in Dubbo Local Court.

Adam James Edwards, 27, faced Magistrate Andrew Eckhold on two charges of possessing unauthorised firearms, two charges of possessing ammunition without authority, two charges of failing to keep a firearm safely and one charge of possessing a prohibited drug.

The charges involved a 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun, an air rifle and a quantity of cannabis.

The court heard the unauthorised firearm charges were aggravated by the fact the shotgun was loaded with ammunition and stored in a cupboard. A solicitor representing Edwards said there were no children in the house.

Magistrate Eckhold said it would not be hard for anyone to find a shotgun wrapped in a pair of jeans.

The solicitor said Edwards used cannabis for pain associated with a back condition.

He has halved his drug use and would be willing to participate in drug and alcohol programs, the solicitor said.

Magistrate Eckhold said medication prescribed by a doctor would be more effective for pain relief than an illegal drug associated with major health problems.

You have a bad drug dependency that is not assisted by the fact your father is also involved with cannabis, the magistrate said.

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Man avoids prison sentence