West Auckland gang associate Craig Crawford swears at judge during sentencing for firearms charges

Detailed summary

In May last year, the police Waitematā Gang Disruption Unit carried out a search warrant at Craig Crawford’s West Auckland home for an unrelated matter. Court documents obtained…

Craig Crawford, 51, swore at a judge during his sentencing on firearms charges at the Auckland District Court. Photos / Dean Purcell, NZ Police

A man about to be sentenced for multiple firearms charges told the court “f*** yous”, forcing an adjournment so he could calm down.

In May last year, the police Waitematā Gang Disruption Unit carried out a search warrant at Craig Crawford’s West Auckland home for an unrelated matter.

Court documents obtained by the Herald show they discovered six firearms, some modified, and 194 cartridges of ammunition.

Crawford, who police described as a Head Hunter associate, does not hold a firearms licence. The reason he gave for possessing the contraband was to protect his three motorcycles, the court heard.

Testing of the weapons revealed two rifles were not operational. One pistol could be fired, while the other handgun could not, but it was determined it would if oil was applied and the firing pin was correctly aligned.

Of the two air guns found, one could be fired while the other did not have an air canister.

The seized ammunition included shotgun shells and nine different calibre rifle cartridges ranging from .45 to .308.

Crawford earlier pleaded guilty to representative charges of unlawfully possessing a pistol and firearm, as well as a charge of unlawfully possessing explosives.

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