The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Former gamekeeper could be jailed over unlicensed firearm
A north-east man caught with an unlicensed firearm has been warned he could be jailed.
Stephen Walker admitted having a shotgun without a certificate when he appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday.
Sheriff Marysia Lewis deferred sentence for reports, but told former gamekeeperwalker that all options were open to the court.
Fiscal depute Alan Townsend said that the 53year-old had previously held shotgun and firearms certificates.
He gave these up in 2007 and got rid of all his registered weapons.
Mr Townsend said police had received intelligence that Walker had an unlicensed shotgun.
Officers went to his caravan at Monteach Mill, Monteach Road, Methlick, on June 23 to search the property.
The court heard Walker initially denied having the weapon, until police found used and live cartridges.
He then showed them a single-barreled pistol shotgun he kept under a bench.
When interviewed, he said he had owned the gun for 30 years and had not altered it.
Mr Townsend told the court the firearms offence could attract an extended sentence.
Walker’s agent, solicitor Graeme Murray, said his client had never been in trouble before.
He had worked for 20 years as a gamekeeper in England before moving to the north-east, and had held licences since his teens.
Mr Murray said it was a very old gun he considered an antique. The solicitor said Walker had lost track of the legislation.
“He accepts he ought to have advised police officers of its existence,” Mrmurray said.
He said it was at the lower end of the scale for such offences. Walker will return for sentenceonjune 11.