A LAND-owning surgeon fighting for the return of his gun licences had earlier applied to police for a handgun to shoot sheep – even though he had not got any, a court heard.

Ahmed Khashaba, whose property is near Crown Point, in Burnley, wanted a 6mm semi-automatic pistol to humanely kill sheep and lambs, as well as a high- powered rifle to hunt deer.

A firearms expert said he had not known much about guns, appeared to know nothing about deer, and stalking terms were ‘completely alien’ to him, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Mr Khashaba, of Carrwood Green, Padiham, had been seeking to vary existing licences, but his firearms and shotgun certificates have since been revoked.

The doctor now says he won’t push for a handgun because of public views over such weapons, but wants to upgrade to a .243 bolt-action rifle and the reinstatement of other weapons.

Simon Vann, firearms inquiry officer with the Lancashire Constabulary Firearms and Explosives Licencing Unit, who has eight years’ experience in his field, said he was aware Mr Khashaba owned a 22 rimfire rifle and a shotgun, they could be used to dispatch stock and asked him why he required a pistol.

He said the appellant told him he felt it would be safer to have a pistol in a holster to drive around his land. The appellant did not have any sheep on his land.

Mr Vann said: “I have never had a request from a farmer for this type of humane destruction.”

(Proceeding)