i was going to go clay pigeon shooting tomorrow

[Primer]

But I don't think they will be open on reading this news report:

"THE owner of a South Somerset shooting ground has appeared in court facing a firearms charge and another of assault after allegedly threatening a local farmer with a shotgun and assaulting another man.

Paul Martin Bennett, 57, of #### Road, Higher Odcombe, was brought before South Somerset and Mendip Magistrates in custody after being arrested by police following the alleged incident at Mudford Sock.

Bennett, who owns and runs the Podimore Shooting Ground in Podimore, appeared visibly distressed when he appeared in the dock at Yeovil.

He was charged that on October 21 he had in his possession a firearm, namely a shotgun, with intent to cause Fred Anthony to fear that unlawful violence would be used against him, contrary to the Firearms Act.

He was also alleged to have assaulted Ian Anthony causing him actual bodily harm during the same incident at Mudford Sock.

Bennett did not enter pleas to either of the allegations and the magistrates said the firearms offence was so serious that it could only be dealt with at the crown court.

They adjourned the case until November 5 when Bennett must appear before a preliminary hearing at Taunton Crown Court to stand trial on both charges.

Until his next court appearance Bennett was remanded in custody with no application for bail being made by defending solicitor John Killah."

I think he and his business are possibly proper f##ked now, shame as it's our local clay ground and everyone is pretty friendly, my feo shoots there too, god only knows what drove Paul to this, he taught me and the wife to shoot, we were only there on the 20th (day before the offence), come to think of it he didn't seem quite himself.

I can only hope the firearms allegations are unfounded as I can't believe he would do anything that daft although he may of had his shotguns in his car due to taking them to and from the shooting grounds.

[Gaz]

Could be anything from waving a loaded gun in the other guy's face, to having a broken gun over his arm, to having it visible on the back seat of the car while engaged in a heated argument from the driver's seat.

ABH usually means he's inflicted anything from a bruise upwards.

Unless he's cleared of all charges I'd think that's it for your clay ground.

[Christel]

One thing I am acutely aware of is that shooters are at the mercy of non shooters to the extreme. All it takes to make life hell for a shooter is for a non shooter to claim "he/she threatened me" to the police.

Regardless of firearms being involved or not, regardless of you doing anything or not.

Your firearms will be removed until the case has been settled and you may never see your firearms again nor be allowed to shoot. All because a vindictive neighbour/ex/whatever said the magic words...

Primer, I am with Gaz regarding this.

[Primer]

Yeah doesn't look good, the wife has known the owners for years as she went to school with their daughter and also used to operate spring traps for them years ago before electronic traps.

I agree Christel, I did say to the wife if someone wanted to cause the maximum trouble for Paul then they only had to mention he had a gun with him, will have to see what happens on Monday at crown court.