Suspected arms dealers appear in court in Maidstone

Adam Turner of Lewisham, south east London, pictured is one three men facing 12 weapons charges, pictured outside Maidstone Crown Court today 

Three men accused of ‘dealing’ or owning illegal weapons including anti-tank rocket launchers and assault rifles have appeared in court.

George Flisher, 34, Dominic Virjee, 45, and 35-year-old Adam Turner face a total of 12 offences in relation to both guns and ammunition.

They were charged after a bomb disposal unit was called to a house in Maidstone, Kent, on November 24, 2016.

Flisher from Maidstone is accused of three offences of selling or transferring a prohibited weapon and two of possessing a prohibited weapon in relation to firearms designed or adapted to discharge two or more missiles successively without repeated trigger pressure.

These include SA-80 and AK-47 assault rifles.

He also faces two offences of possessing a rocket launcher for a projecting stabilised missile, and two of possessing ammunition, namely four .357 Magnum rounds and two .38 Special rounds, without a firearms certificate.

Virjee from Maidstone, is accused of one offence of selling or transferring a prohibited SA80 rifle.

Turner from Lewisham, south east London, is charged with possessing or transferring a prohibited SA-80, and possessing a prohibited Argentinian rifle.

All the offences are alleged to have been committed between June 1 and November 30, 2016.

The three men were expected to enter pleas today at Maidstone Crown Court, Kent, but the case was adjourned due to what was described as the ‘detailed and technical nature’ of the firearms involved.

George Fisher, left, and Virjee Dominc, right, also appeared in court today in connection with the cache of weapons allegedly recovered from a house in Maidstone Kent

George Fisher, left, and Virjee Dominc, right, also appeared in court today in connection with the cache of weapons allegedly recovered from a house in Maidstone Kent

Fisher and Dominic, both pictured, were released on unconditional bail along with their co-accused to reappear at Maidstone Crown Court in May, although the two-week trial is expected to start on January 7 next year

Fisher and Dominic, both pictured, were released on unconditional bail along with their co-accused to reappear at Maidstone Crown Court in May, although the two-week trial is expected to start on January 7 next year

Prosecutor Ian Foinette told the court that an expert’s report was awaited by the defence before the charges could be put to the defendants.

He added: ‘This is obviously a rather detailed and in some respects a technical case because of the nature of decommissioning and whether that decommissioning has been effective or otherwise.’

The plea and trial preparation hearing was therefore adjourned until May 17.

However, the two-week trial was fixed by Judge Philip St.John-Stevens to start on January 7 next year.

Flisher, Virjee and Turner were released on unconditional bail until their next court appearance in May. 

Among the weapons recovered were an SA80, file photo, used by the British Army 

Among the weapons recovered were an SA80, file photo, used by the British Army 

Police also recovered an AK-47 assault rifle, file photo. Prosecutor Ian Foinette told the court that an expert's report was awaited by the defence before the charges could be put to the defendants so the plea and trial preparation hearing was adjourned until May 17

Police also recovered an AK-47 assault rifle, file photo. Prosecutor Ian Foinette told the court that an expert’s report was awaited by the defence before the charges could be put to the defendants so the plea and trial preparation hearing was adjourned until May 17

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