A Swindon father was convicted for importing a realistic replica gun resembling one from Fortnite for his son.
He went to court on February 19th. He pleaded guilty to importing something illegal. It all happened at Swindon Magistrates’ Court.
The illegal item was a replica gun. It looked like a G11 submachine gun. This airsoft gun cost about £100 and looked a lot like a real assault rifle.
Someone at Border Force intercepted a package that came from Poland and was for Dodson. They inspected it carefully and the police found the airsoft gun and secured it.
Dodson said he ordered it online because it was the cheapest one. He didn’t know the website well, but he knew it was overseas. He didn’t think importing it was a crime.
His lawyer said the color made it illegal because a different color would make it a toy. Dodson wanted it for his son, as it looked like a gun in Fortnite, a video game.
The police let him come in for questioning, and he wasn’t arrested at that time. He fully answered questions without a lawyer, and police first offered him a caution.
He missed the appointment because he was working far from home. The police then said it was going to court now. The court fined Dodson £300 and he must pay a £120 surcharge, as well as £85 in court costs.