SNS GroupA man was caught with six guns in his attic which he claimed was given to him by his then ill father.
Karl Matthews, 48, was snared with a World War One rifle and five handguns at the property in Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway, on August 10 2025.
The High Court in Glasgow was told that police officers raided Matthews’ home after a search warrant was granted.
The search recovered the firearms as well as ammunition and magazines which fit some of the guns.
Matthews did not have a firearms certificate to have the weapons in his possession.
Prosecutor Alasdair Shaw stated that the rifle recovered was manufactured in Britain and dated from 1914.
A black revolver was found to be American manufactured and dated between 1915 and 1948.
Another American revolver from between 1912 and 1975 was recovered.
There were three hand guns from Belgium, Bulgaria and America found which dated from 1950 to 1988.
Mr Shaw said: “Police interviewed Matthews and he told them that his father gave them to him before his death three years ago.
“He had been given the guns as his father had Alzheimer’s.
“He said he knew he should not have had them and was scared to hand them to the police.
“Mr Matthews claimed he did not know where they came from and did not discharge them.”
Matthews pleaded guilty to having the weapons without a firearms certificate.
He also admitted having weapons without the authority of the secretary of state.
Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Judge Lord Arthurson who continued Matthews’ remand in custody meantime.
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