Tyseley cannabis farmer shot by police spared jail

Witnesses had reported that Aaron Humphries had a two ft submachine gun on his lap in his car at the time he was shot
Adam Dutton a ‘paranoid’ cannabis farmer armed with an imitation submachine gun who was shot by police has been spared jailAdam Dutton a ‘paranoid’ cannabis farmer armed with an imitation submachine gun who was shot by police has been spared jail
Adam Dutton a ‘paranoid’ cannabis farmer armed with an imitation submachine gun who was shot by police has been spared jail

A cannabis farmer who was shot by police after they mistook his imitation machine gun for a real one has been spared jail.

Aaron Humphries, from Tyseley, was approached by armed officers on October 2, 2021 after a witness reported him for having a two ft submachine gun on his lap in his car.

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He appeared via videolink from HMP Hewell at Worcester Crown Court on Friday, January 7 following the incident.

The 31-year-old was spotted by a passer-by who noticed Humphries sat in his car with a large firearm in his lap.

When armed police approached Humphries, one of the officers discharged their firearm, shooting Humphries in the leg.

Humphries, a father-of-two, who has worked as a civil engineer, admitted to possession of an imitation firearm on October 2, 2021.

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He also admitted to criminal damage, destroying property without lawful excuse, on the same date – smashing the windows of a house, its door and a Ring Doorbell.

What were the events leading up to the incident?

Amanda O’Mara, prosecuting, said Humphries had arrived at his ex-partners house in Dines Green, Worcestershire.

Footage from the ring doorbell on the property shows Humphries repeatedly ringing the bell before kicking and smashing its camera.

He then used a homemade dumbbell to smash the front windows and door of the property – he caused £1,400 in damage.

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Humphries left the property and parked his car in Ronkswood Hill, Worcester where he was reported to the police by a witness who noticed he had a two ft gun on his lap.

Aaron Humphries, a ‘paranoid’ cannabis farmer armed with an imitation submachine gun who was accidentally shot by police has been spared jailAaron Humphries, a ‘paranoid’ cannabis farmer armed with an imitation submachine gun who was accidentally shot by police has been spared jail
Aaron Humphries, a ‘paranoid’ cannabis farmer armed with an imitation submachine gun who was accidentally shot by police has been spared jail

Armed police arrived at 9:02am. Miss O’Mara said: "When he was exiting his BMW one of the firearms was discharged, striking the defendant in the leg.

"He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for treatment and arrested at 11.59am the same day."

The weapon was found to be an imitation Heckler and Koch MP5K submachine gun.

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The defendant’s advocate said his client had a previous diagnosis of personality disorder, psychosis and paranoia.

The defendant had also been found to be growing cannabis plants at his ex-partner’s tanning salon in April, 2021 - he told police that she was unaware of the plants as she had not been using the site due to covid-19.

Police found £2,700 worth of cannabis plants and numerous growing equipment.

What did the judge say about the case?

Judge Jackson ruled out the grow as a commercial operation, citing the need for more plants.

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He said: “I do recognise that some people who grow cannabis plants get carried away with what they’re doing and grow to excess. It strikes me this is one of those cases here."

Referring to the firearms incident where Humphries was shot, Judge Jackson said: “That is something that continues to affect you to this day.

"Plainly the police must have felt they were justified in approaching you with firearms because they had reports of someone carrying a firearm. They had to treat that seriously."

Judge Jackson sentenced Humphries to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years and placed him under the supervision of the probation service, ordering him to complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

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He was ordered to pay £1,400 in compensation for the damage to the property.

Is there any update on the IOPC investigation into the police incident?

The shooting has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which will carry out an independent investigation into the incident and the discharge of a police firearm.

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