A GUN enthusiast who threatened to shoot his wife as their 22-year marriage fell apart has begun a battle for a new firearms certificate.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Philip Bradbury, 45, who had threatened to turn a gun on himself if his wife left him, left his shotgun in their bedroom at night, propped up against a wall, with a box of ammunition.

She was so afraid she was not able to sleep, and eventually left him for another man.

Mr Bradbury, of Whalley Road, Read, is appealing against the refusal of the Chief Constable of Lancashire to grant a shotgun certificate.

Michael Smith, for Lancashire Constabulary, said Mr Bradbury first applied for a shotgun certificate in 1983. One was granted and it was renewed until 1992.

In 1992, Mr Bradbury had a series of emotional stresses.

In the period leading up to that time he became jealous and possessive, accused his wife of having affairs, threatened to injure her with knives and to shoot her. Mr Smith said at one point Mr Bradbury had told his wife he would shoot her dead if he found out she was having an affair.

Mr Bradbury, who was reported for threatening behaviour, surrendered three guns, knives and an axe, and also his gun licence.

Percy Wood, for Mr Bradbury, said the only problems Mr Bradbury had had were marital problems.

There were no medical reasons why he should not have a shotgun certificate.

There had been no contact between the two since, and Mr Bradbury had been living with another woman for some considerable time.

A consultant psychiatrist found there was no evidence of any mental problems and Mr Bradbury's behaviour in 1992 was the normal reaction to a marriage breaking up.

(Proceeding)

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