The boss of a tank hire firm has appeared in court charged with illegally possessing a ROCKET LAUNCHER
Nicholas Mead, 48, is charged with illegally possessing a weapon which is capable of shooting a ”stabilised missile” without the permission of the Secretary of State.
He faced a total of six counts of illegally possessing fire arms and ammunition at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday following his arrest on March 18.
The court was told the rocket launcher could not be used for signalling, line-throwing or shooting pyrotechnics.
Mead was also charged with possessing a Winchester 1886 under-level rifle without a certificate, contrary to the Firearms Act 1968 and repairing a Hebel flare pistol without being a registered firearms dealer.
He is also charged with possessing 500 5.56 Nato L2A2 ball ammunition in bandoliere clips, 10 rounds of a 12 bore shotgun and 82 rounds of .45-70 government calibre ammunition, all without the relevant paperwork.
The court heard Mr Mead runs the Tanks-A-Lot business, which hires over 95 tanks for filming, film premiers, driving courses, corporate days and to thrill-seekers for up to £250 a day.
The business also hires tanks for weddings and as limousines, while the firm’s website offers customers the chance to “crush a car” in a tank.
Mead, from Helmdon, Northants., did not enter a plea and was granted unconditional bail until the case appears at Northampton Crown Court later this year.
Presiding magistrate Rosemary Read told Mead that he would commit an offence if he failed to turn up for his trial at crown court.
Mead, who was dressed in a smart tweed jacket, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.
