Mate's testicle shot off by accident, court told By Andrew Potts and Greg Stolz
October 13, 2007 01:00am A CAR dealer who found a handgun in a caryard he bought accidentally shot his friend in the testicle while playing with the firearm, a court was told yesterday. Both men then lied about the shooting to police, telling them it occurred during a robbery. Mark Anthony Cheers, 39, pleaded guilty in Southport District Court yesterday to assault occasioning bodily harm while armed, possessing an unlicensed weapon and carrying dangerous goods in a vehicle. The court was told Cheers found the gun in a business he had bought and twirled it around his finger while showing it to his friend, Phillip Marino. The gun discharged, shooting Marino in the scrotum and groin. He lost 15 per cent of his right testicle, the court was told. Cheers threw the gun in a canal but later recanted the robbery story and admitted he had shot his friend. Judge Fleur Kingham sentenced Cheers to 200 hours' community service. Outside court, Cheers' lawyer, Cameron Browne, said Marino had forgiven Cheers. "One of the most pleasing aspects of this case is that prior to today, the complainant contacted my client and said he still wished to have a beer with him after all this was over," Mr Browne said. "That in itself is a significant testament to the fact that this offence was extremely out of character for my client, and one he sincerely regrets." _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist 6 in a bloody row!
