A Belfast man who kept guns for his own protection after being attacked and threatened by loyalist paramilitaries was spared jail today after a judge deemed his case had "exceptional circumstances."
A Magnum revolver, rounds of ammunition and a Russian revolver frame and barrel were found at the MountView Street home of Stuart Harold Hill after his house was set on fire and he was beaten unconscious.
Belfast Crown Court heard that Hill was living under threat, had been the subject of several paramilitaries beatings and had been shot in the head prior to the firearms being found in his home.
Hill, who the court heard has an IQ of 50 and who has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to the numerous beatings, made the case he kept the weapons for self-defence.
The 38-year old admitted three counts of possessing firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances, and was handed a suspended sentence today by Judge Patricia Smyth.
Telling the court Hill was "a clearly vulnerable man", the judge handed Hill a prison sentence of two and a half years, which she suspended for three years.
At a previous hearing, prosecuting barrister Robin Steer said Hill's offending emerged after emergency services were called to his home in the early hours of Monday July 13 2015.
Hill's home had been ransacked and set on fire, and when fire crews responded they saw an unconscious man lying at the rear of the property
Also present was a revolver and five rounds of ammunition, which were found beside a drain.
Hill was rushed to hospital where he was treated for head injuries and later that day officers went to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where Hill asked them "what have I done?"
A search of his home later that month revealed the presence of a deactivated Russian revolver.
The court heard that coupled with a low IQ and limited mental functioning, Hill also has epilepsy. In addtion he has alcohol and substance misuse issues, which exacerbate his mental health issues.
Mr Steer said the Crown accepted Hill didn't possess the weapons for "violent intent" - but rather he kept them for self-defence due to paramilitary threats.
Defence barrister Ciaran Harvey pointed out that when his client was found outside his house on the morning in question, he had been attacked so badly that a boot print was visible on his forehead.
Revealing this was the latest in a series of "significant head injuries", Mr Harvey spoke of Hill's low intellect and the fact he has to rely on friends and family for everyday support.
Sparing Hill jail, Judge Smyth said she was taking into consideration the paramilitary attacks and threats coupled with his mental deficiencies and PTSD diagnosis.
The judge also said Hill didn't have any previous convictions for firearms or violent offences and accepted he didn't possess the gun for violent means, but had it for self-defence.
Before releasing Hill, Judge Smyth warned him that if he offended in the next three years, he faced prison.
