Police tipped off over two unlicensed rifles

A Doune bird trainer was this week fined for having rifles and ammunition without a gun licence.

Neil Davies, 52, had a .243 Sako bolt action rifle and a .308 Dunoulin bolt action rifle at his home in Stirling Road on June 17.

He also had ammunition for both weapons.

Davies, who has no previous convictions, appeared at Stirling Sheriff Court last Friday and pleaded guilty to both charges.

The court heard that Welsh police contacted Stirling police to tell them Davies had moved to the area, had an expired firearms certificate and may be in possession of two rifles.

Officers went to his address in Doune and he admitted that he still had the weapons and ammunition.

Police seized both rifles and 13 rounds of ammunition, which were found in a secure metal gun cabinet in a rear bedroom.

When he was charged Davies replied: “I am guilty of that offence. It was an error on my part.”

Representing himself in court last week, the bird trainer said: “This was simply an error on my part. I hadn’t used them for a long time and they were locked away in a cabinet. With a change of address and a change of jobs, I suppose they were out of sight and out of mind. I moved to Scotland around two years ago and I believe the certificate expired at the beginning of this year.

“I have not used the firearms since moving to Scotland.”

Davies was fined £400.