A ROSYTH man has been fined for having an air rifle in his home without registration.

The police were searching the home of James Johnston in connection with an unrelated matter when he told them about the gun in his room.

Johnston, 46, of Tovey Road, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He previously admitted that on June 3 at his home, he owned an air rifle without holding a certificate for it.

Depute fiscal Alistair McDermid said that Johnston told the officers about the gun and had claimed: “I knew there was a law coming in but didn’t know it was in place.”

Defence solicitor Brian Black said his client was a first offender and was “extremely embarrassed by the whole situation”.

The solicitor said the gun had been lying unused for five years by his client, a pensions officer with the Royal British Legion.

Sheriff Derek Reekie fined Johnston £500.