Overview
- Paul Dunlavy, 31, received an 18‑month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work after the court activated 11 months of a previous suspended sentence.
- He pleaded guilty to possessing firearm components without a certificate and to two counts of possessing offensive weapons, entering his plea on the basis he did not plan to use the items.
- Police, acting on intelligence about online purchases on October 21 last year, searched his Newcastle home and seized a 3D printer, two sheathed knives and a bag holding more than 100 printed parts.
- Officers found upper and lower receivers for an FGC‑9 semi‑automatic firearm, which the judge called essential parts that could be paired with store‑bought items to make a functioning weapon.
- The defence said he was a hobbyist who printed Star Wars models, claimed the parts were toys and not for use, and the court noted that under UK law receivers count as regulated firearm components that require certification.