A POWYS man admitted he had been “very foolish” after he was found in possession of a shotgun and ammunition, without owning a firearms licence.

Police found a shotgun in a lorry belonging to Darren Foxley, 59, after executing a search warrant at his home on March 31 this year.

At Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 22, Foxley admitted one charge of possessing a shotgun without a certificate.

Prosecutor James Sprunks said a search warrant was carried out at Foxley’s Bailey Bungalow home in Aberedw, near Builth Wells, and while no gun was found inside the home, a search of a DAF lorry discovered a Webley and Scott .410 shotgun behind the driver’s seat.

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The court heard slaughterman Foxley had previously held a shotgun licence, but he had not held one since his old one expired in 2007.

“It was 10.45am when officers executed a search warrant at the defendant’s home address,” said Mr Sprunks.

“Officers searched a lorry and found a green gunslip behind the driver’s seat. The shotgun was inside.

“A certificate is required to carry one. There were 35 live cartridges also found in the lorry. The defendant said the lorry was used in his role as a slaughterman. He was arrested.

“Two more shotgun cartridges were found in a bedside cabinet. The Police National Computer was checked, which revealed he didn’t have a certificate. His previous one expired in 2007.

“He declined to say where he’d purchased the gun from.”

Acting for Foxley, Clive Rees said his client had been given the gun by some people who’d been rabbiting at his house.

“He would very much like to see the back of this,” said Mr Rees.

“He is a slaughterman, on reduced hours at the moment until this matter is finished.

“Occasionally, when dealing with pigs in particular, he is required to get close to them. But it is a smaller shotgun. He didn’t in fact get round to using it. He had it only a few weeks.

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“He should have made an application for a certificate, having had one some years ago.”

Foxley was interviewed by probation officer Gareth Jenkins, who told the court: “Mr Foxley admits he has been very foolish and he shows genuine remorse.

“He has not owned a gun since his previous licence expired. He never got round to it. He understands he should not have been in possession of it.”

Magistrates told Foxley to abide by a 12-month community order, which will include undertaking 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was also fined £500 and told to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

Magistrates also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the gun and ammunition.