Man Caught Stockpiling Guns in Headcorn Raid
On the morning of 14 October 2020, police swooped on a rental property on Headcorn Road. Hidden inside a wardrobe, officers found a bag containing a self-loading pistol, a silencer, a magazine, and loose ammunition.
More Guns Found at Storage Unit
David Fitzgerald, 58, was at the property and promptly arrested. The search didn’t stop there. Officers raided a nearby storage unit leased by Fitzgerald and uncovered a bolt-action rifle with ammo wrapped in a towel.
Encrypted Messages Reveal Weapons Sales
The Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate dug deeper, discovering encrypted chats Fitzgerald sent between March and June 2020. These messages revealed he was selling prohibited firearms, including the pistol seized during the raid.
Long Jail Sentence for Biddenden Man
Fitzgerald faced multiple charges: conspiracy to sell prohibited weapons, possession of a prohibited pistol with a barrel under 30cm, possession of a firearm without a certificate, and four counts of possessing ammunition unlawfully.
He pleaded guilty to all counts except conspiracy but was convicted after trial at Maidstone Crown Court. On 25 November 2022, Fitzgerald was slammed with eleven and a half years behind bars.
Detective Constable Terry Hanlon said: “Fitzgerald had no legal reason to possess these firearms. Court evidence showed he offered guns for sale via encrypted messaging used by organised criminals.”
“He tried to hide these weapons, but thanks to the officers’ thorough work, they were recovered. Kent is a safer place now these guns are off the streets.”
