Movie Props Pal Of Ex-Gangster Dave Courtney Sentenced For 'Weapons' Stash

Weapons: McGirr

The movie props housemate of notorious gangland hardman Dave Courtney has been sentenced after police found a collection of knuckle dusters and other weapons in the property.

Last month, Brendan McGirr, 56, received a twelve-month conditional discharge, plus £85 costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

He originally appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court alongside Courtney, 64, who had the same charge against him dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

However, McGirr, of Chestnut Rise, Plumstead pleaded guilty to possession of offensive weapons, namely knuckle dusters, a dagger and a martial arts throwing star.

The court heard local police visited the ‘Camelot Castle’ address at 6.40pm on December 29, last year to discuss Courtney’s New Year organised bare knuckle fights. 

Courtney was on holiday and McGirr again allowed the police in, this time accompanied by a Sergeant and various weapons were identified scattered around the property.

The officers noticed many swords, some in buckets, but they were all clearly blunt and McGill produced weapons and handed them over to the police voluntarily.

They were hanging on walls and strewn across shelves and other surfaces and none were in locked cases.

Charges Dropped: Courtney

The six knuckle dusters were of various designs and the throwing star is a Japanese weapon known as a shuriken.  

Courtney’s home is a local landmark, bedecked with union flags and flags of St. George, plus a huge side wall mural of the ex-gangster depicted as a knight sitting on a knuckle duster-themed throne surrounded by his men.

In a statement to police Mr McGill said the items recovered were all film props belonging to his company and he felt possession of them was lawful.

He said they were for the purpose of theatrical productions and film and television and were used in rehearsals and were like displays in a museum.