A militaria enthusiast’s home was raided after a former tenant called the police about his weapons collection.
Armed police could be seen outside Andrew Cherry’s home in Tucker Road, Blackbird Leys, on January 25.
School cleaner Cherry, 30, found himself charged with having a ‘Rambo’ knife and a ‘curved’ sword, which were found in his bedroom.
Although he had bought the items in 2019 and ‘some four or five years ago’, a new law that came into force in 2021 made it illegal to have them as the sword’s blade was longer than 50cm and the ‘Rambo’ knife was banned.
Cherry had certificates for each item and one of the blades was a gift from his father, Oxford Magistrates’ Court was told.
“He has been interested in collecting military items since he was seven years old. These were exactly that; collectibles. [He was] not intending to go out and use them,” defence advocate Phil Kouvaritakis said.
There had been significant consequences as a result of his arrest, the magistrates were told.
He had been suspended from his job of four years as a school cleaner. Although the school were said to have been happy for him to continue, the contracting company through which he was employed were concerned about ‘liability issues’.
Appearing before the justices on Wednesday (February 15), Cherry, of Tucker Road, Oxford, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place. He had no previous convictions.
Fining him £184, chairman of the bench Mark Howard said: “We take on board everything that’s been said in your defence; that you bought them in good faith when they were effectively legally available to be bought.
“However, as a collector it is your responsibility to make sure you are aware of all of the laws and regulations that apply to these items.”
He was ordered to pay £119 in costs and surcharge.
The new law making it an offence to own various weapons, including larger swords, in private was passed in 2019 and came into force two years later.
Antique weapons – classed as those over 100 years old – are exempt from the law. Similarly, swords with curved blades longer than 50cm that were made before 1954 or those made at any time ‘by traditional methods by hand’ can be owned legally.
Those using banned weapons for historical re-enactment, in TV, film or theatre, or whose weapons are of ‘historical importance’ have a legal defence if they are charged with possessing an offensive weapon in a private place.
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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.
To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk
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