A former Australian Defence Force soldier turned cabinet maker has pleaded guilty to gun and weapon charges, five months after he was caught carrying a cache of the illegal goods in his car at Russell Vale.
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Joshua Whittington told police had recently been discharged from the army after eight years of service when he was pulled over on York Street on the afternoon of September 27 last year, a short time after he was seen acting suspiciously in nearby Thirroul.
Officers who searched his car found a loaded pistol, a silencer, handcuffs, knuckle dusters, martial arts nunchucks and numerous knives littered throughout the car.
A set of agreed police facts tendered to the court said a witness saw the 28-year-old park his Ford Ranger on Palmyra Avenue and begin walking up and down the street.
The witness said Whittington appeared to be paying particular attention to a specific house, at one stage entering the property boundary. The witness reported the matter to police, who stopped Whittington in Russell Vale a short time later.
When asked what he had been doing earlier in Palmyra Avenue, Whittington told police a friend had told him there was a skip bin in the area that contained some wood.
The loaded pistol, a Colt 1911, was found inside a small bag inside the car.
The knives, which included a cut throat razor, were found spread between the rear seat, centre console and glove box.
During an interview with police, Whittington admitted to owning all the items, saying he collected knives and knuckle dusters and used the pistol for target shooting.
He said he had the weapons in the car because he was moving house.
Whittington was remanded in custody to face Wollongong District Court for sentencing next month.
The most serious charge for which he will be sentenced – possession of a loaded firearm – carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ jail.