Judge says sorry as he jails OAP for five years for firing 'souvenir' WWII pistol

Last updated at 18:07pm on 07.02.08
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Victor Bowden: Shot the windscreen of a neighbour's car after he was woken by loud music

A judge apologised to a pensioner after saying he had no choice but to jail him for five years after he opened fire on a neighbour's empty car with a Second World War pistol.

Victor Bowden, 65, had been driven to desperate measures by a two-and-a-half year battle over her constant partying and loud music, a court heard.
In the early hours of the morning, he took the gun, a wartime souvenir that had belonged to his stepfather, and fired it through the windscreen of his young neighbour's car.
Today, he is beginning a prison sentence after a judge said he regretted that he was required by law to impose the lengthy term for his "foolish" act - even though the neighbour herself had pleaded for leniency.
"Regrettably, despite all the research we have done, there is no justification for any sentence other than the minimum five years in this case," Judge Robert Brown told him.
Labour introduced a mandatory minimum five-year term for anyone caught with a firearm in public in a bid to clamp down on rising inner-city shootings, many involving drugs gangs.
By contrast, Bowden lives in the fishing port of Fleetwood, Lancashire, where he had been locked in a dispute with his neighbour, Karen Potter.
Preston Crown Court heard the retired security guard had been driven to distraction by the loud music and late-night parties at her home.

WWII souvenir: The pistol had belonged to his stepfather


He had complained to the local council, although not to police.
On October 18 last year, shortly after 3am, he fetched the wartime self-loading pistol, aimed it out of an upstairs window, and fired it through the windscreen of her parked car.
She went outside to investigate and found the glass shattered and a bullet embedded in the dashboard, the court heard.
Police were called and found Bowden in his back garden where he had hidden the gun - a German-made 7.65mm Sauer and Sohn - in a plant pot.
He later pleaded guilty to possession of an illegal firearm and having the gun while committing an act of criminal damage.
Miss Potter wrote to the court asking for leniency for her neighbour.
"I feel that he should be punished, but I don't ask that he go to prison," she said. "I just wish he had come and spoken to me before this happened."
Following the row, Bowden had moved to live with his mother, who is suffering from cancer, the court heard.
However, the judge said he had no choice but to pass the minimum sentence, which applies in all apart from "exceptional" cases.
He told Bowden: "You had become exasperated, and perhaps reasonably so, by the music coming from your neighbour's house in the early hours of the morning.
"Maybe because you had had some beer, on this particular night that exasperation became too much for you, and you decided to make some noise of your own."
Jailing him for five years for the firearms offence, with a further year to run concurrently for the criminal damage, he said he was taking into account the circumstances leading up to his "foolish act".
Afterwards, Det Con Mark Kelsall, of Fleetwood CID, said: "Bowden's behaviour was irrational and frightening, and although nobody was in the street when he discharged the firearm, his neighbours were understandably very upset and scared by the incident."

Judge says sorry as he jails OAP for five years for firing 'souvenir' WWII pistol| News | This is London

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman

"On October 18 last year, shortly after 3am, he fetched the wartime self-loading pistol,"

I want a pistol that can self load! LOL

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman

I don't disagree with the need for some form of strong punishment, but 5 years is a big much. He was foolish to use his weapon in such a manner. IMO, weapons should not misused like he did. If you feel led to discharge a pistol at something other than a practice target, it should be done with the intent to kill whatever living target you are aiming at. If you keep this in mind while handling a weapon, you will be far less likely to recklessly fire a weapon; is this act I am committing worth the death of another?

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Best Regards,
JW

I agree. I have had quite a few weapons in my life and I do have a Concealed carry permit. But 5 years for a stupid mistake? I think something else could have been done.

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman

He sure deserves some kind of punishement for taking the law in his own hands, but Good Lord five year! Some get less than that for murder! I hope the old man gets on parole as soon as possible. I think he has learnt his lesson and must be desperate. On the other hand I understand the judge who had no choice and the man could have actually hurt someone.

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Wonderful British justice we have he gets five years while a yob who murdered a man gets three.

There is no real justice here in the UK anymore.

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Regards, Richard

There back this Xmas 2008

He should have consulted someone like me. I'd have recommended a late night visit using a 1000 VDC meggar and some minor wiring changes. Nothing like a little (in the UK case) 440 VAC for home appliances or a bit of 1000 VDC to ensure electronics arn't any longer. Only takes a few minutes and every gets put back right so.....obviously it's her fault her home stereo system had a minor meltdown and no longer works.....

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Truth is stranger than bullshit!

Agreed... I have seen cases here in the states where a Judge gave a rapist 2 years and probation!!!!!

By the way what OAP stand for?

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The war against Russia will be such that it cannot be conducted in a knightly fashion. This struggle is one of ideologies and racial differences and will have to be conducted with unprecedented, unmerciful and unrelenting harshness. -Adolf Hitler

OAP?

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Best Regards,
JW

Old Age Pensioner?

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman

Old Aged Person. Damn, you have to have a frigging Portagee teaching you your own language!

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Everly Brothers - What I Have To Do Is Dream
"Never wrestle with pigs, you both end up getting dirty and the pig likes it."

"A judge apologised to a pensioner after saying he had no choice but to jail him for five years after he opened fire on a neighbour's empty car with a Second World War pistol."

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman

Ah ha! Thanks...

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The war against Russia will be such that it cannot be conducted in a knightly fashion. This struggle is one of ideologies and racial differences and will have to be conducted with unprecedented, unmerciful and unrelenting harshness. -Adolf Hitler

OAP is Limey-speak. We'd use "senior citizen"

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Best Regards,
JW

Damned Colonials But 'old' at 65? Shudder

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Everly Brothers - What I Have To Do Is Dream
"Never wrestle with pigs, you both end up getting dirty and the pig likes it."

We use the term "Old Git" LOL

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman

Or old fart.

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Regards, Richard

There back this Xmas 2008

O A P = ORIGINAL AWESOME PORTAGEE

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Nah. It's Overly Aged person.

Preston, the city I was born in. A lot if interesting stuff happens round here sometimes. Like that time they caught a Mafia don here.

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