A 48-year-old man from Douglas has been fined £125 for possessing a crossbow.

Brendan Michael Mark Byrne told the court he had bought it in a shop in Douglas and did not know he needed a firearms certificate.

He pleaded guilty to possessing a regulated weapon without a certificate.

Prosecuting advocate Roger Kane told the court how police went to Byrne’s home at James Street on August 24 to perform a welfare check after receiving a call expressing concerns.

It was also reported that Byrne potentially had firearms at his home.

When officers arrived at his home, Byrne told them he was fine and refused to allow them access to his property.

When quizzed about any firearms he became agitated and continued to refuse entry.

Police entered the property and a search found the crossbow, and a number of other items. The other items were later deemed to be legal after examination.

When interviewed Byrne told police he did not know he had to have a firearms certificate for the crossbow and said that he had bought it at a Douglas shop, where no-one had mentioned it.

The court heard that he had no previous convictions.

A probation report said that Byrne had lived on the island for 18 years and had an interest in military items.

The report said that Byrne believed that the call which led to police attending his address may have had some malicious intent as he said he did not have any mental health issues.

Defence advocate Kate Alexander said: ’Clearly this is serious but we would submit that it is at the lower end of these types of offences.

’Mr Byrne co-operated with the police, entered a guilty plea and made full admissions during police interview.’

While imposing the fine, magistrates’ chair Geoff Collier said: ’We accept you were perhaps misled. We would like to think that the police might visit the shop concerned.’

Byrne was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs, which he will pay, along with the fine at a rate of £50 per week.