Man accused of shooting cop had an interest in weapons, court hears (From Croydon Guardian)

Man accused of shooting Croydon cop had an interest in weapons, court hears

9:06am Friday 14th September 2012 in News By Hannah Williamson

A man accused of fleeing to Ireland after shooting a police officer had an interest in weapons, a court heard.

Damian Devine is accused of shooting Pc Wayne Stevens, while running to evade arrest on May 15, last year.

Kingston Crown Court heard the 27-year-old of Allder Way, Croydon, ran away to his brother's house in Belfast the day after the shooting.

When police arrested him four days later they found a three-in-one car battery jump starter inside a black holdall on top of the wardrobe, the court was told.

Neil Moore prosecuting said: "Inside the box was a three-in-one jump starter, but when officers removed the rear panel they immediately saw hidden inside it was the component parts of a firearm.

"Inside that firearm were the components of a beretta 1934 self loading pistol.Three magazines were also found."

The court heard the components were from two different firearms.

While the frame had been part of a pistol that had been deactivated in 2000, the barrel and slide were not from a deactivated model, jurors heard.

"It was this weapon the prosecution say, that was used to shoot Constable Stevens," Mr Moore told the court.

Jurors heard when officer's carried out a search of Mr Devine's home a number of items including 38 calibre cartridge cases were found.

A slide and barrel for a beretta were found hidden inside a speaker and a vast array of other firearms and ammunition items, as well as welding materials were found around the flat.

Documents and invoices from America for firearm accessories were also found in the property addressed to the defendant.

The court heard a search of the defendants computer found a number of diagrams showing berettas split into parts.

Mr Moore added: "He used Google for extensive research into firearms from January to July 2011.

"Google searches included assembling beretta 1934 clip and disassembling beretta 1934 clip."

When interviewed after his arrest Mr Devine gave a no comment interview, the court was told.

The trial continues.