A man claimed he found an air rifle with a silencer and scope on it while walking his dog.

David Stone, 53, was snared with the weapon at his home in Glasgow's Bridgeton on February 1.

The city's Sheriff Court heard that Stone initially showed the gun to his "vulnerable" brother Gary Stone.

Gary then reported that his brother had the item to his social worker and the police.

He stated that Stone had found it "in his back garden."

Officers attended Stone's property later that day.

He stated: "Oh it's this, it's an air gun."

Prosecutor Danielle Docherty added: "He picked up a blue plastic bag which appeared to contain the item with a scope and silencer.

"He handed it over to the police.

"He said that he found it about 11pm on January 20 when he was out walking his dog in the back garden area of his property.

"Stone said he noticed the silencer sticking out of the bag and that the gun was sitting at the back of a set of flats."

Stone also told officers that he did not have a certificate to own the weapon.

Firearms officers later attended to make the gun safe before seizing it.

Stone pleaded guilty to possession of the air weapon without a certificate.

It was revealed that Stone has a similar previous conviction from 23 years ago.

His lawyer told the court: "Mr Stone had it for a number of days - it was curiosity."

Sheriff Allan Mckay deferred sentence for six months for Stone to be of good behaviour.

He said: "It is astonishing how many of these things are found in back gardens in Glasgow but I have nothing to go against your story.

"You have a record that is slightly worrying but I'm told you are not returning to your previous ways.

"If there was a possibility of that happening, I would have dealt with this differently."