Ingham man jailed for sending gun in post

A 67-year-old man who sent a home-made gun in the post to the son of his former partner has been jailed for five years. Christopher Bettis, of Grove Cottage, Ingham, sent the firearm along with ammunition and operating instructions to a 17-year-old boy in March this year, Norwich Crown Court heard.

Christopher Bettis, of Grove Cottage, Ingham, sent the firearm along with ammunition and operating instructions to a 17-year-old boy in March this year, Norwich Crown Court heard.

The court heard Bettis, a retired small arms engineer who worked for the Ministry of Defence, had sent the weapon in the hope of gaining acceptance from the 17-year-old after they failed to get along.

Police were alerted to the suspicious package when it was posted to an address in Great Yarmouth on March 18.

The package contained distinctive writing, and CCTV from the post office in Bradwell, from where it had been posted, identified the sender as Bettis.

He was arrested and later charged with possessing a small firearm and transferring a small firearm.

Bettis appeared at court on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to both offences and was sentenced to a total of five years' imprisonment.

An order was also made for the forfeiture of the gun and associated paraphernalia.

Investigating officer PC Rachael Pack said: 'A person with his knowledge and experience of firearms should have known better than to send such a device in the post.

'This was highly irresponsible behaviour as the firearm could have easily fallen into the wrong hands.

'Incidents involving firearms are taken very seriously and anyone found in possession of a firearm can expect tough action from the police and courts as this sentence demonstrates.'