Lake Illawarra man pleads guilty to illegal firearm after Halloween Snapchat photo
Preston Humphreys pleaded guilty to possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm. A Halloween photo brought this to light.
Preston Humphreys, 20, pleaded guilty to possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm. Police found a photo on a hidden phone during a search of his Lake Illawarra home.
The picture was taken on Snapchat on October 11, 2025. It showed Humphreys and a co-accused both in mankinis.
Both were holding double-barrelled sawn-off shotguns. Humphreys first said the weapon was a replica.
But he changed his plea to guilty. A judge said context is everything.
The judge noted Humphreys had been on a good behaviour bond when the photo was taken. He gave a $600 fine.
He said every firearm offence is treated seriously. It is unclear how long Humphreys had the weapons.
It is also unclear if they were just for the photo.
- 20 years old
- Offender age
- October 11, 2025
- Photo date
- $600
- Fine imposed
- Double-barrelled sawn-off shotguns
- Weapons type
Why it mattersA casual Halloween joke became serious evidence in a firearms case. Digital photos can show illegal activity to police.
AustraliaAustralian police can and do use social media photos as evidence in firearm offences, and possession of prohibited weapons carries criminal penalties.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
