By Wade Stephens, ABC
Colin Sinclair (left) and his lawyer Damon Pica appeared in Mildura Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. Photo: Supplied /ABC News
A former Victoria Police officer will stand trial after more than 90 guns and 111 firearm parts were allegedly found at his north-west Victorian home.
Colin Sinclair, 68, pleaded not guilty to 31 gun and chemical possession offences after authorities searched his Red Cliffs property in December last year.
The court heard that more than 600 items were seized during a nine-day search of Sinclair's home, yard, shed and concealed bunker, including 91 firearms, 111 firearm parts, 36 alleged explosives ordinances and 72 chemicals containers.
Magistrate Michael Coghlan described Sinclair's collection of weapons, chemicals, parts and ammunition as "clearly alarming".
He said it was bizarre for a former police officer to have these items in his possession.
"Why would he collect them from a storage area even though there's no evidence he used them?" Magistrate Coghlan said.
"He should know better."
Cache discovery
The Mildura Magistrates' Court heard a routine firearms inspection occurred on December 3 last year to inspect 34 handguns and long-arm firearms registered in Sinclair's name.
It heard a disaster-relief team was subsequently called to assist as numerous allegedly unregistered weapons and containers of "drug precursor chemicals" were found unsecured throughout the property.
The court heard a number of inert explosive devices were also located, including hand grenades, distress flares, fireworks and other explosives.
Police informant Senior Constable Samuel Holdcroft told the court the search of the property was "definitely unsafe" and that members of the military and arson and explosives experts were called in.
The court heard police will allege that five of the precursor chemicals found in barrels at the property could only be used to manufacture methylamphetamine, while another six to 10 chemicals could be used for legitimate alternate purposes.
The court was told there was no suggestion Sinclair engaged in the manufacturing of drugs or sale of firearms.
Firearms history
Defence lawyer Damon Pica told the court Sinclair was an armourer and gunsmith when he worked for the Victoria Police ballistics unit before changing careers in 1992.
He told the court some of the weapons belonged to the late district firearms officer Gary Pearse and that Sinclair would repair firearms for him.
The court heard attempts had allegedly to erase or remove registration numbering on a number of firearms.
Magistrate Michael Coghlan said Sinclair's collection of weapons was "excessive", and that he was clearly "a gun fanatic".
The court heard Sinclair's nephew was allegedly the subject of a police investigation into drug trafficking in 2009.
Pica told the court his client obtained the chemicals from a storage area at his nephew's request once the investigation was complete and that he did not use them.
Sinclair has no prior criminal history.
He is scheduled to face the Melbourne County Court in January.
- ABC
