Dover Man Jailed for Illegal Firearms Bust
Kent Police raided Barney Buttifint’s home on Lascelles Road, Dover, on July 25, 2022, after suspecting he held more weapons than allowed by his firearms licence.
Illegal Guns and Ammo Found During Search
Officers uncovered a sawn-off shotgun, a .410 pistol, and ammo quantities exceeding his licence limits. These were found alongside other legally held firearms and air rifles.
Buttifint Locks Up for Nearly Six Years
The 36-year-old was arrested the same day and later charged with possession of a firearm without a certificate, possessing prohibited firearms, and holding excessive ammunition. On December 14, 2022, Canterbury Crown Court sentenced him to five years and 10 months behind bars after he admitted the offences.
Police Warn: Follow Firearms Laws or Face the Consequences
Detective Constable Max Pegler from Folkestone CID said, “To keep the public safe, it is essential that firearms are held in accordance with a licence and stored safely, where they cannot cause harm or be used for criminal purposes.
“The possession of the illegal-held weapons in this case, and the way in which they were stored in Buttifint’s property, was clearly in breach of the rules.
Kent Police was quick to arrest and charge this man and I hope the sentence he has received sends out a message to anyone in possession of, or thinking of obtaining, such weapons.”
