Gamekeeper kept shotguns and rifle in unlocked caravan

Teenager admits breaching licences by not informing police of his new address and not securely storing his weapons

An assistant gamekeeper who left guns in an unlocked static caravan found himself in court after the weapons went missing.

Kieran Armstrong admitted four breaches of firearms legislation when he appeared at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday.

The 18-year-old, who has since lost his job, was staying in a static caravan on land at Butterstone when the guns disappeared.

Depute fiscal Craig Donald told the court: “The accused had taken up employment as an assistant gamekeeper and during the course of that he had moved into a static caravan at the locus.

“Over the period of time covered by the charges, he had left the weapons lying unsecured, in some instances in the living area of the caravan and others in the cupboard in the bedroom.

“On some occasions the main door of the caravan was not locked.”

Sheriff William Wood noted that Armstrong had called the police after the weapons went missing.

Mr Donald added: “He returned to the caravan at the locus and discovered they were missing.

“The consequences of calling the police are this offence and that the accused has since lost his employment.”

He said the weapons had included three shotguns and a bolt action rifle.

Armstrong, whose address was given as care of Police Scotland, pled guilty by letter to breaching both his shotgun and firearms certificates at Middle Cardney, Butterstone, by failing to notify police of a change of address between September 23 and October 25 last year

He further admitted breaching both certificates by failing to secure the weapons in an appropriate gun cabinet at an address in Jedburgh during the same dates.

Sheriff Wood deferred sentence until next month for reports.

Over the period of time covered by the charges he had left the weapons lying unsecured, in some instances in the living area of the caravan... DEPUTE FISCAL CRAIG DONALD