A HASLEMERE man and a woman charged with a number of firearms offences and criminal damage following an incident at Netley Heath near West Horsley in June 2003, were each sentenced to three months in prison when they appeared at Guildford Crown Court last Friday. Alexander Szyndel, 28, of Scotland Lane, Haslemere, had pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of firearms with intent to cause fear of violence, two charges of criminal damage and one charge of possession of a firearm while committing criminal damage when he appeared in court in October 2004. At the same court appearence, Jessica Allinson, 47, of Pursers Lane, Peaslake, had pleaded guilty to four charges of possession of firearms with intent to cause fear of violence, one count of criminal damage and one count of possession of a firearm while committing criminal damage. The two were arrested following a free party which was organised on land at Netley Heath on June 8, 2003, after they confronted some of the partygoers, discharging their shotguns and damaging some of their equipment, including speakers and vehicles. The event was attended by between 350 and 600 partygoers and was held on land owned by private landowners. Police received a number of calls of complaint about the event, which coincided with other similar events taking place nearby on the same night. The party passed without incident until Allinson and Szyndel arrived at the scene after they had been out shooting rabbits on their land. They ended up confronting some of the partygoers, discharging their shotguns and damaging equipment. The pair were subsequently arrested and charged with a total of 20 offences in January 2004. Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Paul Rymarz said: "We will continue to investigate and prosecute anyone who takes the law into their own hands, particularly when it involves the use of firearms. "Defending land or property involving the unlawful use of firearms will not be tolerated. "However, we also take a robust stance against anyone trespassing on land for the purpose of organising free parties. "The zero-tolerance policy adopted by Surrey Police towards any organisers found setting up an unofficial rave in Surrey has been extremely successful."
