Andrew David Rankmore charged after police sized 63 unregistered guns at Williamtown property, granted bail
A court has heard a former RAAF member charged with harbouring more than 60 guns across his Port Stephens property was an antique collector. He has made a bid for freedom in court.
Newcastle
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A former RAAF member accused of harbouring more than 60 unregistered firearms, scattered across parts of his Port Stephens property, has been granted bail with questions raised about whether he was an antique collector.
Andrew David Rankmore, 40, was arrested at his Williamtown home on August 21 after a raid by police who went there as part of an investigation into the exportation of exotic birds.
Officers escorted Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water investigators onto the semirural property on Nelson Bay Rd following a 10-month probe but allegedly uncovered much more.
Officers seized 63 unregistered firearms, including rifles and shotguns.
Ammunition, further gun parts, drugs, chemicals consistent with making gunpowder, silver bullion and cash were also seized.
Police allege a large number of guns were found strewn throughout rooms within the house on the property and at least one was found in a disused beehive.
Police further allege Rankmore attempted to flee when officers arrived and had a handgun wrapped in a sock in his pocket when he was apprehended.
He was later charged with 96 offences including possess unauthorised pistols and firearms, not keep firearms safely – pistol, goods suspected stolen, possess loaded firearm endanger life in a non-public place, manufacture a prohibited firearm without license, acquire ammunition without license, acquire prohibited firearm part without authority to do so, use/supply firearm, not comply with storage needs and possess 3 or more unregistered firearms without license.
In Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday, Rankmore made a bid for bail with the support of his wife and two children watching on.
His solicitor Kimberley Norquay-Evans said while there was a “sheer volume” of firearms, it was evident he was collector and most of the firearms were old and had “sentimental values”.
She told the court there was no “sinister” intent, with her client intending to show the firearms in the future and that he also believed he held the appropriate licensing.
She also told Magistrate Robert Stone that the 40-year-old was not receiving the basic medical treatment while in custody.
Prosecutor Sergeant Dahl argued it was a strong police case and noted that if Rankmore was a collector, he should have been fully aware of legislation to store firearms safely.
He told the court the firearms were “secreted” around the property in multiple locations which was “very concerning”.
“This goes above and beyond of safe storage neglect,” Sergeant Dahl said.
He also told the court the more serious charges of gun manufacture, where Rankmore is alleged to have homemade firearm parts, carry a maximum jail time of 20 years with a custodial sentence “definitely on the cards”.
Magistrate Stone said while the allegations were serious he was concerned about a “flavour of matters” and it appeared from the facts that he was a collector of antiques.
Mr Stone said there was “absolutely nothing” in the facts that indicated the firearms would be used for any “nefarious purpose”.
He said there was nothing to support allegations of a manufacturing trade, he had no prior criminal history and a long list of character references described Rankmore as “honourable”.
While Mr Stone admitted the unsafe storage was a concern, he had a big issue with the 40-year-old not receiving appropriate medical treatment while in custody.
Rankmore was granted bail with conditions he report to police three time a week, not consume alcohol, not possess a firearm or encrypted device and $10,000 surety.
His matters were adjourned until early next month.
During the raids on Rankmore’s Nelson Bay Rd property, 21 exotic animals – a handful of which were native species – were seized from a private menagerie.
It followed an investigation launched in October last year as the result of information received in relation to the possession of exotic CITES – Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species – listed birds.
Authorities seized 17 exotic birds including the vulnerable South American native Hispaniolan Amaxon parrot as well as leopard geckos and red-eared slider turtles.
Several live native animals, including sugar gliders, green tree frogs and a thick tailed gecko were also seized at the property.
No charges have been laid over the animal seizures or investigation.
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