Four to face firearm and weapons charges after drive-by investigation

Isle of Wight court, where four people will appear on a series of charges, including ones linked to a firearms investigation. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press.)

Four people are due in court today (Friday, April 14) after a police investigation into a series of incidents involving imitation firearms on the Isle of Wight.

Reports were made to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, on the evening of August 8, 2022, alleging the occupants of a vehicle driving around Sandown and Ryde were firing BB gun pellets at members of the public.

Several people were injured.

A vehicle was stopped by police in the Ryde area and four arrests were made.

At IW Magistrates Court today, Oliver Cooper, 19, of Whitcombe Road, Newport, will face four charges of possession of an offensive weapon in public (namely 3 fixed blade craft knives and a butterfly knife), and one charge of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Zachary Savaria, 19, of Well Street, Ryde, will face one charge of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and one charge of possession of cannabis.

Demi Greenway-Jones, 18, of Weeks Road in Ryde, will face one charge of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and one charge of possession of cannabis.

Kian Debenham, 20, of Marlborough Road in Ryde, will face one charge of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.