A FARMER who left shotguns lying around his home has been fined £600.

Gun enthusiast Christopher Calvey of North Hourat Farm, Kilbirnie admitted leaving two shotguns unattended within his home on March 27.

A .410 Wesley and Scott shotgun along with a 12 bore Sable weapon were left alone at the rear door and in his bedroom cabinet respectively.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard last week how police received information that Calvey kept a firearm at his rear door.

They explained the purpose of their visit to Calvey’s home and he led officers in to the rear porch.

He showed the officers a double-barrel shotgun against the wall of the porch. Directly below the weapon was a plastic container filled with cartridges.

Calvey, 56, then admitted to the police that a shotgun was lying insecure within a cabinet in his bedroom.

After this was examined, the officers inspected Calvey’s remaining weapons and ammunition which were found to be in order.

Calvey, who described himself as a professional countryside manager, was told a report would be submitted to the procurator fiscal and gave a very full response to officers.

He said: “We have rats which appear during the day and into the evening.

“It’s there to shoot them when we see them. I acknowledge I am guilty.

“In recent weeks we’ve had a fox which has come down and taken our livestock. This is at night when the dogs alert me.

“As you can see, all the firearms are clearly stored. I take ownership of the firearms.”

Calvey, a first offender, also stated told officers that he had previously surrendered his guns to Strathclyde Police following the Dunblane massacre.

He pled guilty to the offences at court last week.

Presiding Sheriff Iona McDonald said Calvey’s conduct was “very concerning”.

Representing himself, Calvey told the Sheriff: “I would say it’s very common practice to keep a gun ready.

“It was wrong but I do not think it could be regarded as reckless.

“The farm has now been given to an animal sanctuary. I am not just protecting livestock but also our animals which have some emotional value to the family.”

When asked by Sheriff McDonald if the dogs could deal with the fox, Calvey replied: “No my lady. I would not want to put a dog on a fox anyway.”

Calvey went on to say that the only occasions when the guns are outwith their secure storage is when he is at home.

Passing sentence, Sheriff McDonald was unimpressed with Calvey’s actions.

When passing sentence, she said: “You do not view it as reckless given your practical circumstances as a person of the land, but I do Mr Calvey.

“If someone broke into your house that firearm is readily available for use.

“You obviously thought that what you were doing was plausible, The certificate is for a reason.

"If you do not store them properly you may have them taken off you.”

Calvey was handed a £600 fine.