Hull, England – A retired police worker and former soldier, Michael Edwards, 73, left his unsuspecting female neighbour in shock after placing a potentially lethal pistol on her doorstep, wrapped inside a gold Christmas gift bag. The incident, which took place in Hessle, led to Edwards being sentenced to five years in prison for possessing prohibited firearms, Hull Crown Court heard.
The court was told that Edwards, of Brigg Drive, Hessle, claimed he trusted the woman with the gun. However, she was horrified when she unwrapped the seemingly festive gift bag and found a pistol inside. The neighbour, who was described as being “shaken up” and frightened, didn’t know what to do with the weapon and later handed it over to the police.
Prosecutor Ben Hammersley revealed that Edwards had worked for Humberside Police before retiring. On November 23 of the previous year, Edwards contacted a former colleague, asking, “Do you have any 9mm bullets?” The ex-colleague, taken aback, expressed significant concerns about Edwards’ request. Edwards then mentioned he had “a couple of guns” and needed bullets for them but did not elaborate further.
The following day, a police officer on patrol visited Edwards’ home to follow up on the concerning conversation. Edwards consented to a search of his property on November 25, during which officers found a handgun in a bag on the top shelf of a bedroom wardrobe. Edwards was promptly taken into custody.
Earlier, the female neighbour had discovered the gold Christmas gift bag on her doorstep, brought it inside, and was shocked to find what appeared to be a gun inside. “I carried it downstairs and did not know what to do with it,” she said. “Knowing I have had one in my house has shocked me. There is no way I would look after a gun for somebody. I am shaken up and apprehensive about what has happened.”
The gun was identified as a Colt pistol, an Argentinian army issue from 1927. In total, two handguns were recovered from Edwards’ home.
During a police interview, Edwards explained that he had found the handgun in a garden shed while clearing out his father-in-law’s house in Preston after he died in 2013. Edwards, who served in the army from 1970 to 1978 and worked for Humberside Police for 16 years, claimed he had forgotten about the firearm until recently and had never taken it outside the house.
He denied any intention to endanger life, admitting instead that he had intended to wrap the gun as a Christmas gift for his granddaughter.
“I have been stupid,” Edwards confessed.
Rachel Scott, defending Edwards, described his actions as “odd behaviour” that “did not make sense.” She emphasised that Edwards had shown remorse for his actions, adding that he felt “pretty terrible” about the situation he had put his neighbour in.
In court, Edwards, a widower, recounted his service in the army and his career with Humberside Police, the Post Office, and BT. He also mentioned that he had previously worked as a court witness support worker.
Edwards explained that when he found the gun in his father-in-law’s shed, he initially thought it was a cigarette lighter and decided to keep it in a box for later.
When questioned about why he sought bullets, Edwards responded, “To see if the guns were real.” He expressed regret for not handing the firearms over to the police, stating, “I wish I had now to save all the aggravation.”
He believed he could trust his neighbour with the gun but now recognised the mistake. “I apologise for that,” he said.
Miss Scott asked Edwards whether he had ever fired any of the weapons, to which he replied, “They have never been fired in the 10 years that they have been in the loft. They have never, ever been fired.” When questioned about any intention to use the weapons for criminal purposes or beyond checking if they worked, Edwards firmly denied any such plans.
Despite his lack of previous convictions and expressed remorse, Edwards was sentenced to five years in prison for possessing prohibited firearms.
