Anthony Robert House charged with firearm offences and driving while disqualified

A man was given bail for allegedly having a loaded pistol on him – an offence punishable by a maximum of 20 years – in the Southern Tablelands.

A man was given bail for allegedly having a loaded pistol on him – an offence punishable by a maximum of 20 years – in the Southern Tablelands.

Anthony Robert House, 43, appeared on Wednesday via audiovisual link at Goulburn Local Court, where he was charged with manufacturing and possessing an unregistered pistol, not keeping it safely, possessing ammunition without holding a license and driving a car while disqualified.

He has not yet pleaded to the offences.

Anthony Robert House, 43, appeared via audiovisual link at Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday. Picture: Craig Dunlop

According to Mr House’s lawyer, Sam Rowland, the Goulburn resident had been driving from work at Albion Park when he was stopped by police on Goldsmith Street at 10pm on Tuesday. The court heard he was on his way to pick up his stepson.

According to the fact sheet tendered to the court, the firearm found in the car was a homemade 20cm stainless steel barrelled pistol with a wooden frame.

He was subsequently taken to the police station and refused bail.

Mr Rowland said this is Mr House’s first time in custody, and that he has no history with substance abuse, and possesses “strong community ties.”

Though according to police prosecutor Simon Enderwick, “the threshold has been crossed.”

“The firearm is a danger to the community,” Mr Enderwick said.

“A pistol in the vehicle could fall into the wrong hands.”

Mr Enderwick also referenced a violence matter Mr House was charged with at Albion Park Local Court in 2007.

A large quantity of unlicensed firearms confiscated from residents in the Southern Tablelands at Goulburn Police Station, as part of an operation in January. Picture: Niki Iliagoueva

Magistrate Geraldine Beattie agreed the “harm to the community is significant” and he was “facing heavy charges that carry large jail sentences of up to 20 years.”

Though she concluded that there was “wiggle room for community serving” given his stability in the community and “responsibility to family’.

Anthony Robert House was given bail and is to report to Lake Illawarra Police Station.

His next court attendance is on May 18 once the brief is served.