Gun Dealer from Biddenden Locked Up for Over 11 Years
Police swooped on a rental flat in Headcorn Road on the morning of 14 October 2020 and uncovered a stash of deadly weapons hidden in a wardrobe.
Officers found a self-loading pistol, silencer, magazine, and loose ammunition. David Fitzgerald, 58, was at the property and swiftly arrested.
More Guns Found in Storage Unit
A follow-up search at a nearby storage unit leased by Fitzgerald revealed a bolt-action rifle and more ammo hidden inside a towel.
Kent and Essex Serious Crime detectives also uncovered encrypted messages sent by Fitzgerald between March and June 2020. The chats showed he was offering firearms, including the seized pistol, for sale.
Lengthy Jail Sentence for Firearms Offender
Fitzgerald pleaded guilty to multiple counts including possessing a prohibited pistol and owning firearms without a certificate. He was convicted of conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons after a Maidstone Crown Court trial.
On 25 November 2022, he was sentenced to eleven years and six months behind bars.
Detective Constable Terry Hanlon said: “Fitzgerald had no legal reason to possess the firearms. The evidence showed he tried to sell them via encrypted messages used by organised criminals.”
“He tried to hide the weapons, but thanks to the hard work of our officers, they were recovered. Kent is safer now those guns are off the streets.”
