Brian McIntyre: Boxing trainer who brought gun to UK sentenced

Brian McIntyre claimed he forgot the firearm was in his suitcase

A boxing trainer who "carelessly" brought a gun into the UK has received a suspended sentence due to "exceptional circumstances".

Brian "Bomac" McIntyre forgot an automatic self-loading pistol was in a section of his suitcase when he flew from the US in August, a court heard.

Manchester Airport officials found it as he prepared to fly home.

McIntyre, 53, who was in the UK training Chris Eubank Jr, was jailed for 20 months, suspended for two years.

Based in Omaha, Nebraska, he is the long-term coach of undefeated world champion Terence Crawford.

Officials discovered the Smith and Wesson firearm, together with seven rounds of ammunition, still in the zip compartment of the case as McIntyre went through security before his return flight on 3 September, Manchester Crown Court heard.

It followed 33-year-old Eubank's 10th-round TKO victory against Smith at Manchester Arena.

McIntyre had a licence to carry the weapon in the United States and at no point was aware it was in his luggage until it was detected at the airport.

After hearing about McIntyre's work in the community in Omaha, and listening to a number of character witnesses, including Crawford, Judge Nicholas Dean KC, the Honorary Recorder of Manchester, imposed a 20-month jail term, suspended for two years.

McIntyre admitted unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Judge Dean said McIntyre was a "thoroughly good man" and said the "exceptional circumstances" of the case had merited a departure from the usual five-year minimum jail term.

He said: "This is manifestly and obviously a case where it is appropriate to suspend the sentence."

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