Courts / Meath / Report

Firearms defendant identified by ear 'defect' fails in appeal

Date
2024-07-29

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Navan

County
Meath

Summary

Leon Sharlott, 34, of Fordstown, Navan, was convicted in 2022 of possessing two handguns and ammunition under Section 27A(1) of the Firearms Act. He received a seven‑year sentence, with the final 12 months suspended, at Wexford Courthouse. The weapons and matching ammunition were found in a Volkswagen Golf at a council yard near Gorey, and additional items such as runners and gloves were discovered in the boot. Sharlott's appeal argued that the trial was unsafe because the prosecution relied on a "defect to his ear" for identification. His counsel claimed that no formal identification parade had occurred and that the ear defect had contaminated the process. The Court of Appeal rejected these arguments, stating that the evidence, including the ear defect, was circumstantial and admissible. The appeal was dismissed, leaving the conviction and sentence intact.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Firearms defendant identified by ear 'defect' fails in appeal. Charges or matters: two offences contrary to Section 27A (1) of the Firearms Act. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

March 15, 2018 Other
2024-07-29 Publication

Case subjects

Leon Sharlott

Background Person

Charges: two offences contrary to Section 27A (1) of the Firearms Act (Proven)

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; Leon Sharlott (34), of Fordstown, Navan, Meath, was sentenced at Wexford Courthouse in 2022 by Judge James McCourt to seven years in prison with the final 12 months suspended, after he was found guilty of two offences contrary to Section 27A (1) of the Firearms Act.