A former police constable, once entrusted with the vital role of firearms licensing across Perth and Kinross, has been incarcerated after confessing to diverting multiple shotguns and a substantial quantity of ammunition to his private residence in Kinross. The shocking revelations have cast a shadow over public confidence in local law enforcement, highlighting a severe breach of duty that occurred between December 2021 and August 2022.
Alan Sharp, who served as a constable within the Firearms and Explosive Licensing Department for Police Scotland, found himself facing the High Court in Glasgow following an investigation into his conduct. The court proceedings unveiled how Sharp, a long-serving officer since 2001, had systematically bypassed rigorous protocols designed to ensure the safe disposal of dangerous weapons handed over by the public.
The illicit accumulation began with components for a rifle, originally surrendered under a government scheme at Kinross police station in January 2021. This was followed by an even more significant haul ten months later when Sharp collected six shotguns from a local individual who was no longer renewing their licence. He informed the owner that these firearms would be transported to Glasgow for destruction, a critical procedure never actually carried out.
Instead of adhering to the stringent guidelines for managing surrendered weaponry, which require temporary storage at a police station before transfer to a dedicated armoury, Sharp chose a different path. He sent an internal email falsely detailing that the shotguns were ‘collected for destruction,’ when, in reality, they were being rerouted to his home. This blatant disregard for protocol bypassed essential safeguards intended to keep such weapons out of unauthorised hands.
Concerns initially arose in July 2022 when irregularities surfaced regarding Sharp’s diligence in conducting mandatory reference checks for new and renewed firearms applications. These checks are a cornerstone of public safety, ensuring that individuals seeking gun licences meet strict criteria. Confronted, Sharp admitted to neglecting 75 such checks, attributing his failures to work-related stress and perceived familiarity with some individuals involved, falsely logging many as completed.
The escalating investigation led to a search of Sharp’s Kinross home. Here, officers made a disturbing discovery: all six surrendered shotguns were found in working order, meticulously stored within his personal gun cabinet. Furthermore, the rifle components, still in the original shopping bag, were located on top of a washing machine in his garage, alongside a staggering 1,919 bullets of 17 different calibres. This arsenal, meant for destruction, was instead under his personal control, without any official record of its removal from police custody.
Sharp’s attempts to justify his actions, citing a supposed instruction against storing firearms at Kinross station and a lack of time before annual leave, were deemed insufficient in light of his profound neglect of duty. The prosecutor highlighted that it was his explicit responsibility to ensure the secure storage or proper transfer of these firearms, given the immense potential for harm if misused.
At the High Court, Sharp pleaded guilty to three charges under the Firearms Act and an additional charge of wilful neglect of police duty. His plea resulted in immediate remand in custody, a stark reminder of the serious legal ramifications awaiting those who compromise public safety. He now faces a mandatory minimum five-year jail term, unless his legal team can present ‘exceptional circumstances’ at his upcoming sentencing hearing.
This case serves as a grave reminder of the absolute necessity for integrity and strict adherence to regulations within all branches of law enforcement, particularly concerning firearms. For the residents of Kinross and the wider Perthshire community, this incident undoubtedly prompts important discussions about accountability and trust in the institutions dedicated to their protection.
Alan Sharp, who served as a constable within the Firearms and Explosive Licensing Department for Police Scotland, found himself facing the High Court in Glasgow following an investigation into his conduct. The court proceedings unveiled how Sharp, a long-serving officer since 2001, had systematically bypassed rigorous protocols designed to ensure the safe disposal of dangerous weapons handed over by the public.
The illicit accumulation began with components for a rifle, originally surrendered under a government scheme at Kinross police station in January 2021. This was followed by an even more significant haul ten months later when Sharp collected six shotguns from a local individual who was no longer renewing their licence. He informed the owner that these firearms would be transported to Glasgow for destruction, a critical procedure never actually carried out.
Instead of adhering to the stringent guidelines for managing surrendered weaponry, which require temporary storage at a police station before transfer to a dedicated armoury, Sharp chose a different path. He sent an internal email falsely detailing that the shotguns were ‘collected for destruction,’ when, in reality, they were being rerouted to his home. This blatant disregard for protocol bypassed essential safeguards intended to keep such weapons out of unauthorised hands.
Concerns initially arose in July 2022 when irregularities surfaced regarding Sharp’s diligence in conducting mandatory reference checks for new and renewed firearms applications. These checks are a cornerstone of public safety, ensuring that individuals seeking gun licences meet strict criteria. Confronted, Sharp admitted to neglecting 75 such checks, attributing his failures to work-related stress and perceived familiarity with some individuals involved, falsely logging many as completed.
The escalating investigation led to a search of Sharp’s Kinross home. Here, officers made a disturbing discovery: all six surrendered shotguns were found in working order, meticulously stored within his personal gun cabinet. Furthermore, the rifle components, still in the original shopping bag, were located on top of a washing machine in his garage, alongside a staggering 1,919 bullets of 17 different calibres. This arsenal, meant for destruction, was instead under his personal control, without any official record of its removal from police custody.
Sharp’s attempts to justify his actions, citing a supposed instruction against storing firearms at Kinross station and a lack of time before annual leave, were deemed insufficient in light of his profound neglect of duty. The prosecutor highlighted that it was his explicit responsibility to ensure the secure storage or proper transfer of these firearms, given the immense potential for harm if misused.
At the High Court, Sharp pleaded guilty to three charges under the Firearms Act and an additional charge of wilful neglect of police duty. His plea resulted in immediate remand in custody, a stark reminder of the serious legal ramifications awaiting those who compromise public safety. He now faces a mandatory minimum five-year jail term, unless his legal team can present ‘exceptional circumstances’ at his upcoming sentencing hearing.
This case serves as a grave reminder of the absolute necessity for integrity and strict adherence to regulations within all branches of law enforcement, particularly concerning firearms. For the residents of Kinross and the wider Perthshire community, this incident undoubtedly prompts important discussions about accountability and trust in the institutions dedicated to their protection.