Charges dropped as Christchurch family to face weapons trial

Summarised from Bournemouth Echo's report · Updated 21 Oct, 14:38 · Archive

A family from Christchurch will stand trial next year after crossbow and explosives charges were dropped.

Three members of a family from Suffolk Avenue, Christchurch, arrested after their street was evacuated will stand trial next year. Jacqueline Davis, 60, James Davis, 33, and John David Davis, 61, each face two charges of breaching shotgun and firearm certificate rules after allegedly failing to store weapons in a locked cabinet as required by law. James Davis also denies possessing an offensive weapon — a knuckle duster. Jacqueline Davis and James Davis pleaded not guilty at Southampton Crown Court.

The court heard explosives allegations and crossbow possession charges had been dropped. The Crown Prosecution Service had previously offered no evidence on the explosives charges against the three defendants. All three were released on unconditional bail after spending months in custody. John Davis had undergone quadruple heart-bypass surgery since being taken into custody in June and later suffered complications. The trial on the firearm certificate and knuckle-duster charges is due to take place in 2027, but no date has been set. The family was arrested after emergency services evacuated the road in June whilst bomb-disposal teams examined items found at the property.

Read the report

• Charges dropped over crossbow as Christchurch family face weapons trialA family arrested after their street was evacuated will stand trial next year after crossbow charges were dropped.Bournemouth Echo · 21 Oct, 13:10

In this story: Jacqueline Davis · James Davis · John David Davis · Christchurch · Southampton Crown Court · Dorset Police

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