A Ballabeg man has admitted possessing a shortened shotgun not covered by a weapons certificate.

Fifty-three-year-old William Collister claimed that an unknown male gave it to him while he was fishing.

Collister also admitted three counts of failing to comply with a regulated weapons certificate.

Prosecuting advocate Annie Bannister told the court that firearms officers went to an address at Erin Way in Port Erin, on September 11, where the defendant was living at the time.

They were performing checks and found a gun not being kept in a gun safe, as required under the certificate which Collister held.

On September 28, police seized ammunition from the address and also a disassembled shotgun from the loft, which had a shortened barrel, of less than 24 inches.

When interviewed, Collister said of the September 11 incident that the gun had been outside the safe as he had been changing the sight, but had then gone to eat.

He said he had put the gun in a cupboard.

Regarding the shotgun, Collister said he’d been fishing on Port Erin Promenade, when an unknown male had given him it.

He said he planned to turn it in at the next amnesty.

Defence advocate Helen Lobb said the defendant had held a weapons certificate for 17 years, with no similar offences.

She said that Collister, of Friary Park, had put the gun that was found on September 11 in a padlocked cabinet, with something blocking it.

The advocate said he’d taken steps to secure it, but not in a metal gun safe, as per the certificate requirements.

Ms Lobb said there had been no risk of the weapons falling into the hands of others, and he had not made the modification to the shotgun himself.

A probation report will be prepared before sentencing on December 3.

Bail continues.