Teesside Angler Had Air Rifle in Rod Bag

A Teesside angler has fallen foul of the law by having an air rifle at a popular fishing location.

Stuart Warren, 58, of Cambourne Close, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, admitted possession of an air weapon in a public place when he appeared at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 14th May 2025.

It is an offence under section 19(b) of the Firearms Act 1968 for a person to have an air weapon in their possession in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. The maximum sentence on summary conviction is 6 months' custody.

Magistrates' heard that armed police responded to reports of a man with a firearm at Hemlington Lake on Thursday, 6th March 2025.

On arrival they found Warren had an air rifle inside his rod bag.

By way of context Hemlington Lake is within Hemlington Park, which is owned by Middlesbrough Council. Fishing on the lake is controlled by Hemlington Angling Club, of which Warren is a member and warden.

Nick Woodhouse, mitigating, explained the circumstances to the court.

He said that his client had been involved with the angling club for "quite some time" and was aware there was a "problem with rats" at the lake. Warren had the air rifle with him to dispatch any rats that he saw at the lakeside.

Mr Woodhouse said that his client, who was concerned about going to prison, had surrendered the air rifle to the police. There was no suggestion of any sinister intent on his part.

Given the circumstances, Magistrates were of the view that the matter could be dealt with by way of a 6 month conditional discharge.

Warren was also ordered to pay £26 surcharge.

I have a bit of sympathy for Warren, who appears to have been naive in taking his air rifle into the public park. It would appear that Teesside colleagues have adopted a pragmatic approach to dealing with the matter. 

Had it not been a public park, then there would have been no issues at all, as Warren would have been able to rely on his relationship with the angling club.

From where I'm sitting, there's no reason why Warren shouldn't have his air rifle back. Given the kneejerk reaction to a lot of entirely innocent firearms incidents, I am not sure Cleveland Police will share that view.