SELBY STALKER JAILED FOR HAVING ILLEGAL AIR WEAPONS
A man convicted of attempting to hide two firearms from police and issuing threats to his ex-girlfriend has received a prison term.Anthony James Cairns, 35, also made violent statements, including saying he would "chop off the complainant’s head and enjoy it," and instructed her to inform police to "send an armed response as I am not giving up lightly," prosecutor Robert Galley stated.
Cairns sent numerous messages and made calls threatening her life, including the words, "You are dead, you are dead, you are...
dead," and he also threatened to harm her mother.
Police recovered ammunition linked to the firearms at his home.
He has a criminal record that includes illegally possessing a firearm in a pub and assault, as highlighted in court.
The defense, represented by Jordan Millican, attributed Cairns’ offending to issues related to drug use, alcohol, mental health struggles, and recent family bereavements.
Cairns, who does not have a fixed address, admitted to stalking, illegal possession of an air pistol and an air rifle, and possession of cannabis and tramadol.
A charge related to coercive behavior was kept on file after he denied it; it will appear on his criminal record but without a conviction status.
He was sentenced to 16 months in prison and was issued a 10-year ban on contacting the woman directly or indirectly.
Police monitoring Cairns outside North Yorkshire revealed that in January 2024, while at The Olympia pub in Selby, he appeared to become aware of their presence.
He left through the back, took a bag from nearby bushes, and ran to the River Ouse, throwing the bag in.
It was retrieved by police and contained an air pistol, an air rifle, 46 grams of cannabis, and tramadol.
Although these air guns do not require a firearms certificate, Cairns is legally barred from possessing any firearms due to recent incarceration.
In summer 2023, Cairns’ threatening and aggressive conduct towards his then-girlfriend led her to investigate his past using Clare’s Law, uncovering previous convictions for possessing a weapon and an imitation firearm.
Following their breakup at the end of October 2024 and Cairns’ departure from her home, he continued to threaten her, including plans to involve people from London, and attempted to contact her via private numbers and fake social media profiles.
The woman stated in court that Cairns’ actions caused her significant emotional distress, including panic attacks, fears about unexpected visitors, and an inability to leave her home unless absolutely necessary.
Millican, defending Cairns, emphasized that there was no evidence he planned to use the firearms, and that the ammunition was kept separate from the guns.
