Sunday 13 September 2009

Gun Sights Bound For Iran


A businessman accused of unlawfully exporting 100 telescopic sights for firearms use in Iran appeared at City of London Magistrates’ Court after a seizure by Customs men at Heathrow Airport.

Company Director Andrew Faulkner, 41, of Hollyhock Farm, Dog Drove, Sutton St. James, Spalding, Lincolnshire, was bailed to return on October 27 for Crown Court committal after JP’s declined jurisdiction.

In a prosecution brought by Customs and Excise Faulkner is charged that on or before February 18, 2009 at Heathrow Airport, Hounslow and elsewhere in the U.K. he was knowingly concerned in the unlawful exportation of goods, namely optical sights.

One hundred Schmidt & Bender sights, worth 124,000 Euros, were packed into seven boxes seized by Customs and Excise at Heathrow on February 18.

They were bound for Dubai, but the prosecution allege the final destination for the scopes – which have 3 – 12x magnification - was Iran.

Faulkner, who only spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address during the fifteen-minute hearing was arrested on February 23 and charged at Snow Hill Police Station, City of London on September 1.

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