Fugitive fraudster loses appeal to hold guns

The former chief executive of North Devon council who fled a fraud trial six weeks ago had an appeal against the loss of his shotgun and firearms certificates rejected yesterday.

Judge Jeremy Griggs told Exeter crown court Paul Purvis's appeal was "impertinent".

Purvis, 54, of Cullompton, Devon, is still on the run after vanishing on the first day of his trial for £80,000 mortgage and insurance frauds. He was convicted in his absence and sentenced to three years' jail.

Purvis's shotgun and firearms certificates had been revoked by Devon and Cornwall police on the grounds that he was unfit to hold them.

Appealing against that decision, Purvis had written to the court saying he had held the certificates for 38 years and needed them so he could hunt for food for his family.

He sent a fax to the court from a hideaway asking for the hearing to be adjourned.