Allan Gregory Watkins in Coffs Harbour court on gun, ammunition charges

The Coffs Harbour tyre fitter from a ‘prolific’ hunting family was back in court after police found him with an unauthorised gun and ammunition. See what sentence he was given:

A Coffs Harbour man who has been in trouble with the law for illegal hunting in the past, has found himself back in court.

Allan Gregory Watkins sat quietly in Coffs Harbour Local Court supported by his sister as his matter came before magistrate Ian Rodgers on Monday, July 11.

The 36-year-old comes from a family with a keen interest in legal hunting, his lawyer Scott James told the court.

“It’s quite clear he was born into a prolific hunting family - his parents, his siblings are all involved.”

Documents tendered to the court outline that in 2019 Watkins had his firearms seized and licence suspended in relation to illegal hunting offences.

But his lawyer told the court the present case was “not like the 2019 case”.

Allan Gregory Watkins. Picture: Facebook

Mr James told the court his client is a well-regarded tyre fitter who has been employed in Coffs Harbour for the past 15 years but has struggled with depression.

“If he wasn’t a good worker, he would not have been there that long,” Mr James said.

His lawyer also told the court that Watkins is keen to move away from the area and pursue fresh interests other than hunting, and that he has a new partner whose “only interest in hunting is that she likes fishing”.

Police facts tendered to the court say Watkins was detected driving at Emmaville in the Inverell region on November 26 and that officers believed he was there to hunt illegally as they had obtained evidence from his mobile phone from earlier that month to indicate that.

The facts went on to state the car was driven in a dangerous manner to avoid detection.

When police found the vehicle they located items indicative of hunting including knives, game cameras, a compound bow and camouflage clothing.

They searched the dense bushland for over an hour before finding a gun bag with a Tikka 30-06 rifle and ammunition.

Magistrate Rodgers made reference to the lengthy search for the items hidden in bushland and that Watkins initially denied ownership.

Mr Rodgers told the court his prospects for rehabilitation are “guarded at best”.

But his lawyer argued that “it wasn’t like the firearm was in the carpark of the Milperra Hotel with the Comancheros and the Bandidos around.”

For possessing an unauthorised firearm without a permit, Watkins was sentenced to a six-month Intensive Corrections Order and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.

For possessing ammunition without a licence he was convicted and fined $1000.