Crossword Genius

Gets rid of stolen catapult (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

slingshot

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'catapult' is the definition.
(I know that catapult can be written as slingshot)

'gets rid of stolen' is the wordplay.
'gets rid of' becomes 'slings' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'stolen' becomes 'hot' (stolen goods are 'hot').
'slings'+'hot'='SLINGSHOT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for slingshot that I've seen before include "Catapult -- thin gloss (anag)" , "enough to knock you out" , "that can help you get a stone off" , "Sing Holst? (Anag)" , "No slights (anag) - catapult (US)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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