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Gregory Hills man sentenced for failing to store firearms safely

A Gregory Hills man has pleaded guilty for failing to store his firearms safely after they were seized from under a bed by police following a violent domestic dispute last January.

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A Gregory Hills man has pleaded guilty for failing to store his firearms safely after they were seized from under a bed by police following a violent domestic dispute last January.

Licensed firearms holder Alexander Gaitanis, 35, was convicted at Picton Local Court today after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and property damage against his brother, as well as the firearms charge.

A Gregory Hills man has pleaded guilty to three charges at Picton Local Court today.
A Gregory Hills man has pleaded guilty to three charges at Picton Local Court today.

Gaitanis’ family had been living at a Gregory Hills house alongside his brother’s family before a disagreement saw Gaitanis’ family move out of the property.

On January 21 last year, the father-of-three returned to the house to collect some belongings and approached the front door yelling expletives.

His brother told his family to stay at the back of the house as told Gaitanis to leave.

The 35 year old punched his brother in the face three times in total and smashed his Apple iPhone before leaving the address.

Police, who were required to seize the licensed firearms holder’s weapons due to the nature of the charges, were told two shotguns and two rifles were separately wrapped up in blankets under a bed of an Eschol Park house.

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Magistrate Ian Cheetham told Gaitanis at Picton Local Court today it was imperative that firearms were appropriately stored.

“If you keep guns wrapped up in blankets under beds, other people may have access to them,” he said.

The Gregory Hills man was placed on a seven-month Intensive Correction Order and 18-month Community Correction Order. He has also been ordered to undertake 200 hours community service.

The court also heard the two siblings had since repaired their differences and were now on good terms.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/macarthur/gregory-hills-man-sentenced-for-failing-to-store-firearms-safely/news-story/61585e593681bcb0e7974522947e4c4e