But you think that, that is the reason they took it then? I'm not going to use the word "stole" because that is a very strong word.
No, I don't really have much of an opinion on it, other than they took it home to protect it.
PROTECT IT! They claimed they tried to unscrew the end cap off it! I can guarantee you that if someone tried to undo the silencer end cap then they did undo it. As a grown man you rarely "try" and do something, if you want to do something you do it. That silencer end cap was undone and the evidence relating to it should not of been entertained in court - I'm 100% sure of that. Add to that I don't believe the place, date or circumstances surrounding the finding of the silencer either.
I recently bought a non FAC Weihrauch .22 air rifle (target shooting - and rats, as we keep chickens) and whilst in the shop I asked out of interest if I could see the guns in the "serious" FAC gun section.
Having followed this case for a short while (July 2010) I was amazed that they had a .22 Anschutz semi auto rifle. I was also surprised at how light and easy to handle the gun was.
To add to this experience the shop also had a Parker Hale silencer and out of intrigue I attempted to screw of the end (with the shop assistants okay, as he knew of the Bamber case) and it was so easy.
I believe the Bamber Parker Hale was quite new and, based on my "simple" test above, I am sure if one wanted to unscrew the end it would also have been quite simple.
To conclude this post, I feel that silencer evidence, having been tampered with, should not have been allowed at court, and that this would have had a significant impact on the verdict.
Was the .22 semi auto easier the use than your air rifle?
It depends what you are using the gun for 
My air rifle is a break barrel single shot - miss the rat and it gets away 
I just handled the Anshcutz - I didn't fire it - they didn't allow that in the shop 
Cut back the bushes and move the bate so you get a better shot. They are very quick aren't they? And smart.
You would find the .22 semiautomatic rifle far easier to use than the single shot break barrel air rifle. There are however some excellent air rifles available on the market now. The multishot gas operated versions are very good and ideal for ratting.
