'Suicidal' Flintshire man who shot himself in the foot sent to jail

A man who shot himself in the foot while feeling suicidal has been jailed for three years and four months.

Mark Hughes, of Fraser Drive, Buckley, had wanted to kill himself but the gun went off accidentally when he was getting a drink in the kitchen of his home at 6am on July 31, 2016.

On Monday at Mold Crown Court, Hughes hobbled from the dock to serve his 40-month jail sentence.

Judge Rhys Rowlands accepted that Hughes wanted to kill himself but believed he was looking after the gun – “the weapon of choice for professional criminals” – for someone else.

“On the day in question you had taken cocaine and cannabis,” the judge said.

Hughes pleaded guilty to possessing the shotgun with 19 cartridges and a stun gun – both prohibited weapons – and to having cocaine and cannabis.

Anna Price, prosecuting, said a neighbour heard a dull bang then the defendant appeared outside the house with a bleeding foot, saying: “A bloody gun’s gone off.”

Armed police went to the scene and found cocaine worth £487 and cannabis, as well as scales and a grinder.

Miss Price revealed that, in 2005, Hughes was jailed for two years for wounding, and for four years in 2009 for arson.

Julian Nutter, defending, said: “He’s no longer suicidal and wants to pick up the pieces and make something of his life.

“He’s come very close to losing his foot and will be in considerable pain for some time to come as a result of his own actions.”

Judge Rowlands accepted that Hughes had been in a depressed state and intended to take his own life.

“The sentence was reduced because of exceptional circumstances,” he said.

“I take very much into account a letter from the consultant surgeon.”