Maidstone man whose home was raided over fears he was making fireworks had pepper spray and stun gun
05:00, 29 July 2023
Police raiding the home of a man suspected of making fireworks found illegal pepper spray and a stun gun.
Officers executed a search warrant at Anthony Palmer’s Maidstone house after a tip-off he was using chemicals to make pyrotechnics.
The 56-year-old’s bedroom was searched and the weapons were found in a drawer in his room.
Palmer, of Wallis Avenue, admitted to police they were his and was later charged with two counts of possessing a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid or gas and one count of possessing a weapon for the discharge of electrical incapacitation.
He admitted all three offences when he appeared before magistrates in Maidstone on Monday (July 24).
The court heard police raided his home, where he lives with his elderly parents, on December 15, 2021.
Christina Rowberry, prosecuting, said: “Police executed a search warrant at the home where he lives with his elderly parents.
“A stun gun and two other items were found after police were alerted Mr Palmer was using chemicals to make fireworks. There was also a damaged firework in a box and he had been experimenting.
“Officers carried a search of his bedroom and he indicated the items were his property.
“He had the pepper spray to take it apart to do experiments and the items were in a drawer at his address.”
The court also heard Palmer, who brought his elderly mother to court with him, had no other convictions and has mobility issues.
Magistrates decided a pre-sentencing report should be carried out before Palmer is sentenced.
He was granted bail until his next hearing, at the same court, on October 6.
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