A secondhand dealership from which a haul of deadly weapons was stolen earlier this year was operating without a licence, it has emerged.
Samurai swords, daggers, air rifles and cut-throat razors were stolen in the raid on Love’s Antiques on Canal Street in Perth in June.
The former auction house now holds secondhand stalls of everything from clothing to furniture.
Although the centre’s manager Mark Fairbrother had belatedly gained a secondhand dealer’s licence, the weapons seller did not have one.
Mr Fairbrother (48), from St Madoes, is set to be hauled before the council’s licensing committee on Thursday as the authorities seek to have his licence suspended.
Licensing enforcement officer Willie Gibson said: ”I have serious concerns about the business activities ongoing in the premises and the conduct of Mr Mark Fairbrother.”
He said he visited the former auction house after a complaint by a member of the public and, although Mr Fairbrother told him a secondhand licence application had been submitted, checks established it had not. No licence was actually gained until May.
On another visit, Mr Gibson discovered a dealer selling secondhand goods and swords without a licence.
Three months later, in June, a break-in saw items including samurai swords stolen from the stall, for which there was still no licence.
Mr Fairbrother consistently failed to submit a list of the stallholders, said Mr Gibson’s report.
The matter was also reported to the police, with Mr Gibson stating: ”If Mr Fairbrother knowingly acts as agent for vendors who are selling secondhand goods or swords without holding the appropriate licence then there is, in my opinion, an implied element of criminality.
”I am of the belief that Mr Fairbrother’s actions demonstrate a complete disregard for the legal position of his business and contempt for Perth and Kinross Licensing and the officer acting on their behalf.
”I am always reluctant to refer matters to the committee as I realise that the livelihood of the licence holder is at stake. On this occasion, I have no hesitation in referring Mr Fairbrother’s actions to the committee.”
A Perth city centre councillor urged the committee to ”throw the book” at the company.
Peter Barrett said: ”I was shocked by the catalogue of events which have been reported, ranging from repeated failures to fully co-operate with the council’s licensing enforcement officer to the criminal unlicensed sale of knives and swords, in broad daylight and culminating in the theft from the premises of a hoard of lethal weapons including guns, swords, knives and razors.
”I don’t think for one minute that Perth residents should have to tolerate this sort of thing going on in our city centre. The committee should throw the book at this sort of behaviour, which shows a cavalier disregard for the law and an outrageous contempt for the safety of our community.
”The place should be shut down and all unlicensed dealers working out of the premises should face prosecution with the full force of the law.”
Attempts by The Courier to contact Mr Fairbrother, who took over the historic Loves premises shortly after it ceased trading as an auction house, failed.
Photo by Phil Hannah