Steven Mace
03-20-2002, 06:58 AM
Tuesday, 19 March 2002
‘Loner’ refused return of his shotgun
Lisa Potter
A PERTHSHIRE man, compared in court to Dunblane killer Thomas Hamilton by his own GP, has been refused the return of shotgun and firearm certificates.
In a judgement issued by Sheriff D. W. McIntyre, Charles Ingram (56), Blackwood Place, Blair Atholl, was described as a “loner” who can be “aggressive and erratic in character”.
During the hearing, held on various dates last year, the court heard that Ingram used to run a motor car hire and sales business in Blair Atholl, although he is now a carer for his invalid mother.
He first applied for a firearms certificate in 1980 for a .308 rifle, and despite opposition from local police, that was granted. It was later varied and replaced with a .275 rifle.
The court also heard that Ingram has past convictions for dangerous driving in 1975, when a female passenger in his car was killed, and for breach of the peace in 1997, when he harassed and threatened an ex-girlfriend over the phone.
Evidence was also given that between 1990 and 1992, when BBC filming was taking place for the drama series Strathblair in Blair Atholl village square, Ingram was warned by police over a number of confrontations when he was abusive and threatening to corporation employees.
In July, 1996, the Tayside Chief Constable warned Ingram that they intended to recommend that the court revoke his firearm and shotgun certificates. But after representations from solicitors, that recommendation didn’t proceed.
However, in April, 1997, following the breach of the peace incident, the Chief Constable revoked the certificates, but Ingram continued with his hobby of shooting clay pigeons at Kippen Gun Club, although he could not take part in competitions.
Ingram first applied for the certificates to be restored in December, 1998, and after a lengthy 14-month investigation, that was refused.
During the hearing, Ingram’s Pitlochry-based GP, Dr Graham McCrory, gave evidence. The Sheriff, in his findings, pointed out: “Dr McCrory went so far as comparing the applicant to Thomas Hamilton, the perpetrator of the Dunblane incident.”
Sheriff McIntyre stated that he hadn’t formed a favourable impression of the applicant, adding: “There is no doubt he had a drink problem some years ago, which led to the dangerous driving conviction when a female passenger was killed. I was satisfied that he was confrontational with the BBC, for no good reason.
“Individually these incidents were not particularly significant, but when taken as a whole, with the other evidence heard, pointed to an aggressive, belligerent personality. All in all, I did not find him a particularly credible or reliable witness.”
Sheriff McIntyre added that he had no doubt of Ingram’s interest in clay pigeon shooting and would have issued him with a certificate just for that, if that had been possible.
Refusing the appeal, Sheriff McIntyre concluded: “The appellant is a loner, socially isolated and can be unreasonable, aggressive and violent in character.’’
He had also exhibited ‘’bizarre and violent behaviour’’ in the recent past and two local police officers didn’t consider him to be a fit person to possess a shotgun without danger to the public safety or to the peace.
“And I can well understand why,’’ stated Sheriff McIntyre. “Dr McCrory, a local medical practitioner, has serious concerns about the appellant’s mental state and considers that he would be a danger to the public, the peace, and himself if he had a shotgun. I find this evidence most persuasive and there was no contrary medical evidence.’’
http://www.inside-scotland.co.uk/perthshire/advertiser/NEWS/Ingramgun.html.html
Steve Mace
‘Loner’ refused return of his shotgun
Lisa Potter
A PERTHSHIRE man, compared in court to Dunblane killer Thomas Hamilton by his own GP, has been refused the return of shotgun and firearm certificates.
In a judgement issued by Sheriff D. W. McIntyre, Charles Ingram (56), Blackwood Place, Blair Atholl, was described as a “loner” who can be “aggressive and erratic in character”.
During the hearing, held on various dates last year, the court heard that Ingram used to run a motor car hire and sales business in Blair Atholl, although he is now a carer for his invalid mother.
He first applied for a firearms certificate in 1980 for a .308 rifle, and despite opposition from local police, that was granted. It was later varied and replaced with a .275 rifle.
The court also heard that Ingram has past convictions for dangerous driving in 1975, when a female passenger in his car was killed, and for breach of the peace in 1997, when he harassed and threatened an ex-girlfriend over the phone.
Evidence was also given that between 1990 and 1992, when BBC filming was taking place for the drama series Strathblair in Blair Atholl village square, Ingram was warned by police over a number of confrontations when he was abusive and threatening to corporation employees.
In July, 1996, the Tayside Chief Constable warned Ingram that they intended to recommend that the court revoke his firearm and shotgun certificates. But after representations from solicitors, that recommendation didn’t proceed.
However, in April, 1997, following the breach of the peace incident, the Chief Constable revoked the certificates, but Ingram continued with his hobby of shooting clay pigeons at Kippen Gun Club, although he could not take part in competitions.
Ingram first applied for the certificates to be restored in December, 1998, and after a lengthy 14-month investigation, that was refused.
During the hearing, Ingram’s Pitlochry-based GP, Dr Graham McCrory, gave evidence. The Sheriff, in his findings, pointed out: “Dr McCrory went so far as comparing the applicant to Thomas Hamilton, the perpetrator of the Dunblane incident.”
Sheriff McIntyre stated that he hadn’t formed a favourable impression of the applicant, adding: “There is no doubt he had a drink problem some years ago, which led to the dangerous driving conviction when a female passenger was killed. I was satisfied that he was confrontational with the BBC, for no good reason.
“Individually these incidents were not particularly significant, but when taken as a whole, with the other evidence heard, pointed to an aggressive, belligerent personality. All in all, I did not find him a particularly credible or reliable witness.”
Sheriff McIntyre added that he had no doubt of Ingram’s interest in clay pigeon shooting and would have issued him with a certificate just for that, if that had been possible.
Refusing the appeal, Sheriff McIntyre concluded: “The appellant is a loner, socially isolated and can be unreasonable, aggressive and violent in character.’’
He had also exhibited ‘’bizarre and violent behaviour’’ in the recent past and two local police officers didn’t consider him to be a fit person to possess a shotgun without danger to the public safety or to the peace.
“And I can well understand why,’’ stated Sheriff McIntyre. “Dr McCrory, a local medical practitioner, has serious concerns about the appellant’s mental state and considers that he would be a danger to the public, the peace, and himself if he had a shotgun. I find this evidence most persuasive and there was no contrary medical evidence.’’
http://www.inside-scotland.co.uk/perthshire/advertiser/NEWS/Ingramgun.html.html
Steve Mace