Billy Wooden: Illegal weapons stash found in Newport flat, man sent to jail
A special police strike force on the northern beaches discovered a stockpile of illegal weapons in a man’s flat he shared with his mum. He was sentenced in Manly Local Court on Wednesday.
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Police discovered a shocking stockpile of illegal weapons — including a deadly crossbow — in a raid on the northern beaches flat a man shares with his mum.
Officers from Strike Force Prendergast, also found an electric taser, military-style replica guns and a variety of “flick”, “trench” and “butterfly” knives and daggers in Billy Wooden's Newport unit.
They even found a flick knife under 31-year-old Wooden’s pillow in the May 26 raid.
His solicitor told Manly Local Court on Wednesday that his client has a “predilection” for stockpiling the weapons and wanted to keep them close by because feared he may be attacked.
Wooden pleaded guilty to a string of firearms offences including multiple counts of possessing prohibited weapons; possessing unauthorised firearms and; not keeping firearms safely.
The court heard that police stopped Wooden while he was driving at Mona Vale and found the “mini tactical composite” crossbow on the back seat, complete with a mounted laser sight and 26 metal tipped bolts, or arrows.
Strike Force Prendergast officers then went to his flat in Seaview Ave and found two sets of knuckle dusters under a couch in the living room.
They also discovered an array of knives, and a “push” dagger in the living area as well as a flick knife on a bedside table, a knife under Wooden’s pillow and an extendible baton on a window ledge.
Num chuks, used in martial arts fighting, were also found.
A search of a storage area in the unit’s underground carparking space revealed an M4 military-style “gel blaster” automatic rifle, a replica revolver, a dart gun, a slingshot and a Taser electric stun device.
His solicitor said Wooden had a “weapons sickness” and stockpiled the items because he was suffering with anxiety and paranoia.
“He seems to think having the weapons around him keeps him safe … he needs them around so he can get to sleep.”
Police prosecutor Nicole Peacock said what was most concerning was that Wooden was taking the weapons out into the community.
Sgt Peacock told the court that Wooden, who has been in custody since his arrest, should be jailed.
Magistrate Michelle Goodwin said it was “simply and entirely inappropriate to stockpile weapons of any variety”.
“Why would you have the weapons to feel safe, if you had no intention to use them?
“It doesn't make sense.
“He doesn’t seem to think about the risk he’s putting his mother under, having the weapons in his house.”
Ms Goodwin jailed Wooden for 18 months, with a six-month non-parole period. With time served, he could be eligible for release on November 25.