Fines for air rifle men

A GROUP of friends who fired an air rifle at wildlife near a Leyton pond have been fined £225 each.

Trevor Benn, 27, and Michael McNamara, 28, both of Manor Park, were found guilty of breaking Epping Forest byelaws at Waltham Forest Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The two men, who failed to turn up at the court, were found with the gun on Leyton Flats, close to Hollow Ponds, Whipps Cross Road, Leytonstone, at 11.20am on June 24 last year.

A warrant has been issued for a third man involved in the incident, Francis Hogan, after forest keepers could not locate his address.

Police were called to the Flats after complaints that the men were firing the army-style imitation weapon at animals.

Two police officers and Epping Forest rangers went to the scene to disarm the men.

Brian Gillam, forest keeper, said: "We received a call stating there were three men on Leyton Flats with a gun.

"At about 11.45am we arrived at the scene where I saw a police officer carrying a black .22 air rifle. The rifle had been confiscated from one of the three men.

"All three men were very pleasant and courteous but one of them was staggering and his eyes had a glazed look."

Magistrates have decided to destroy the air rifle and took the cost of the weapon into account during their judgement.

Benn and McNamara were each fined £150 and told to pay costs of £75 each.

12:02 Thursday 30th January 2003

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