Jail term suspended for unlicensed sale of firearms

A Torbay man has escaped immediate imprisonment for selling firearms and ammunition, after his co-accused was sent to jail for 15 months in September. In the Albany Magistrate’s Court last month, Jason Robert Hough, 48, received an 11-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, for six counts of unlicensed sale of firearms and ammunition, as well as offering to sell methylamphetamine. He pleaded guilty to all charges. Hough sold a World War II memorabilia .303 bolt action rifle, which police found was still functional, and 11 live .303 rounds of ammunition at his home on June 11 last year. The rifle had its serial number drilled off, the court heard. On July 10, the same buyer returned to Hough’s home to request more guns. Hough admitted to facilitating his co-accused, Jason Troy Smith, in selling two rifles and ammunition to the buyer. Together, Hough and Smith sold the buyer a .22 magnum bolt action rifle, along with two rounds of .22 ammunition and a .243 Winchester bolt action rifle with four rounds. Magistrate Raelene Johnston described Hough’s actions as “disturbing” before handing down her sentence. “The offences you have been convicted of are gravely serious ... it’s disturbing you have chosen to sell firearms with ammunition on two occasions,” she said. “It is concerning people in the community are willing to sell unlicensed firearms.”