Current timestamp: 29/01/2023 06:30:22
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

Kent Police logo - Two line colour transparent white text ( 1)

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Illegal firearms recovered during Biddenden search

Main article content

Navigation

Policing news

13:15 25/11/2022

David Fitzgerald DESKTOP
David Fitzgerald

A man from Biddenden has been jailed for more than eleven years following attempts to sell prohibited firearms and ammunition.

During the morning of 14 October 2020, officers executed a search warrant at a rental property in Headcorn Road.

Hidden inside a wardrobe, the constables located a bag containing a self-loading pistol, silencer, magazine and a quantity of loose ammunition.

Arrest

David Fitzgerald was present at the property and arrested. A further search was completed at a nearby storage unit he leased and inside the officers found a bolt-action rifle plus ammunition wrapped inside a towel.

Firearms DESKTOP
Seized firearms

Investigators from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate also recovered encrypted messages sent by Fitzgerald to criminal associates, between March and June 2020. The messages indicated he possessed firearms, including the seized pistol, that were for sale.

Fitzgerald was later charged with conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons, possessing a prohibited pistol (namely a self-loading pistol with a barrel less than 30cms), possessing a firearm without a certificate (the rifle) and four counts of possessing firearm ammunition without a certificate.

Guilty

He pleaded guilty to all the counts except conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons. He was convicted of the indictment after a trial at Maidstone Crown Court. On Friday 25 November 2022, 58-year-old Fitzgerald was sentenced to eleven years and six months' imprisonment.

Detective Constable Terry Hanlon said: ‘Fitzgerald could have no legal reason for possessing the firearms and evidence was presented at court that proved he had offered firearms for sale via an encrypted messaging service used by organised criminals.
‘He sought to hide these weapons but the diligent efforts of the officers who completed the searches ensured they were recovered. Kent is a safer place now they have been taken out of circulation.’

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Kent Police

  • Contact us
  • Careers
  • About us
  • News
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Partner services
  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.