Kye Hensby sentenced after police found firearms and weapons hidden in the BBQ and laundry
A Newcastle man has been sent to jail after police discovered guns in his home, before later finding more weapons during a search six months later.
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A Lambton man who decided to thumb his nose at police and store a bunch of guns illegally at his home while on bail for the same thing has been jailed for six years.
In September 2018, Kye Hensby, 37, was gifted a firearms prohibited order and a weapons prohibited order by the police before they searched his Lambton property and discovered several firearms and weapons.
Hidden in the BBQ, in a black puma bag wrapped in a white cloth with green electrical tape, there were four guns including two revolvers, a blank fire pistol and a self loading shortened rifle as well as ammunition.
CCTV at Hensby’s house revealed him holding the bag opening the BBQ and appearing to place the bag inside.
He was charged with a raft of firearms offences including possessing unauthorised and unregistered firearms, not keeping a firearm safely, acquiring a pistol subject to a prohibition order and possessing ammunition. He was placed on bail.
Fast forward nearly six months and police attached to Strike Force Raptor again searched his Lambton home and discovered more weapons.
Located in a metal safe in the garage three tasers, and an expandable baton in the laundry basket. Hensby was again arrested.
He was charged with possessing prohibited weapons, use of prohibited weapons contrary to a prohibition order and firearm found at a premises subject to a prohibition order.
In Newcastle District Court on Thursday, Hensby’s solicitor William Buxton said there was no evidence the firearms and weapons found were to be used in any criminal activity.
Judge Peter Berman SC told the court Hensby had previous firearm offences in 2012 and had been on two conditional release orders at the time of the offences.
The court heard the 37-year-old suffered from mental health conditions such as bi-polar and hallucinations which were likely due to his drug problem.
“Why he possessed these weapons is uncertain,” Judge Berman said.
“The psychologist report said a possible link with his paranoia and a need to have firearms and weapons but that is not something that has been proven.”
Hensby was sentenced to six years jail with a non-parole period of three years. He’ll be eligible for release in March 2022.