Quote Originally Posted by FatalException0E
One thing that was missed before the thread got hijacked.....people were wondering why the law was so hard on the guy, as he'd already shot himself in the sack.

I'm wondering why the law was so easy on him. It sure sounds like he inteded to blast his friend with that shutgun. He was arguing with the guy, then went home to grab his gun, then came back....and obviously the gun was loaded. He probably even had it cocked on the way back to the pub. Any cop around here would instantly realize he planned to walk into the bar, pull his gun, and blast his friend in the chest...or head, or gut, etc. Maybe I'm just too American, but that's the way I see it.
I agree, it sounds like pre-meditated attempted murder.... the 5 years is standard for possession of an illegal firearm, so I figure as he shot himself and didn't cause any public distress (apart from to the queues of ladies lining up to date such a highly intelligent individual) the law figured 5 years was enough. Lets face it in Britain that's more than he would probably get for attempted murder anyways....