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Paul Bushell in court after guns and ammunition found following house fire in Nelson Road, Gillingham

A pensioner has appeared in court charged with firearms offences after around 160 weapons were found at a home following a fire.

Paul Bushell, 74, appeared before magistrates in Medway today accused of 13 offences following the discovery of antique guns and ammunition in Gillingham in May.

Bushell, of Nelson Road in the town, faces seven counts of possessing prohibited weapons and six of possessing ammunition for a firearm without a certificate.

Both Napier and Nelson Road were closed, picture Tom Smy @EastKent999vids
Both Napier and Nelson Road were closed, picture Tom Smy @EastKent999vids

It is alleged Bushell had a machine gun, a semi-automatic pistol, a submachine gun, assault rifles, and various ammunition at the address.

At the time, bomb disposal experts were called to the house and they and police spent several days at the address carrying out their investigations.

Firefighters spent two hours at the scene fighting the flames.

Fire crews spent two hours at the scene. Tom Smy @EastKent999vids
Fire crews spent two hours at the scene. Tom Smy @EastKent999vids

The owners had gone out for a meal at a nearby restaurant and the emergency services were alerted when a relative, who lives in the same street, spotted smoke coming from the house.

When crews arrived they thought it was a chimney fire because so much smoke was coming from the chimney, but discovered the flames had spread into the loft from a bedroom at the back of the house.

They needed to use a height vehicle to tackle the blaze.

The police at the property three days later.
The police at the property three days later.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue said there was severe fire damage to the bedroom and loft. Other rooms were smoke damaged and the ground floor suffered water damage.

The owner returned to the house while crews were still there and told them she thought the fire may have been caused by a problem with the wiring to a fish tank in the bedroom.

While in court, Bushell did not enter any pleas and his case was sent to Maidstone Crown Court to be dealt with.

He was granted bail until then his next appearance on Tuesday, November 14.

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