Halloween photo with sawn-off shotguns leads to firearm conviction
A Shellharbour man pleaded guilty to firearm offences after a Snapchat photo showed him posing with illegal sawn-off shotguns.
Sean Declan Kiely, 24, appeared in Port Kembla Local Court on Thursday and admitted to possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm and a prohibited weapon. The offences stem from a photo taken on 11 October 2025 showing Kiely and co-accused Preston Humphreys, 20, posing in mankinis while holding double-barrelled sawn-off shotguns.
Kiely accessorised with a Carlton AFL bucket hat. When questioned about the clothing choice, Kiely told police the mankinis were "a bit tighter than expected".
Police found the photo on a mobile phone during a search in May 2026. Neither firearm was located.
Kiely was fined $600 and placed on a 12-month community corrections order; Humphreys was also fined $600.
- 11 October 2025
- Photo date
- Sean Kiely, 24; Preston Humphreys, 20
- Ages of accused
- $600 each
- Fine imposed
- May 2026
- Photo discovered
Why it mattersThe case shows courts take firearm offences seriously, even when attached to what seemed like a joke.
AustraliaNSW courts continue to prosecute illegal weapon possession, particularly when firearms are photographed and shared online.
