By Tony O’Reilly-
A Belfast man who kept a sawn-off shotgun and bag of cartridges at his home because he felt under threat has been jailed for nine months.
Police discovered the weapon after being called to a suspected burglary at 42-year-old William Martin’s property earlier this year.
Martin, of Melrose Street in the city, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard a nearby resident alerted police about banging noises coming from the defendant’s house and a man climbing out a window in the early hours of March 20.
She also saw torches in the street and did not believe the individual was her neighbour.
When officers inspected the property a living room window was ajar, with the lights on inside.
During further examinations a sawn-off shotgun and bag containing multiple cartridges were observed.
Martin was located and arrested at another address.
A defence solicitor said his client has significant mental health issues, including paranoia, but had previously been informed that he may be at risk.
“He expressed concerns about those threats and was offered a gun,” the lawyer submitted.
Noting Martin’s previous convictions, District Judge Anne Marshall confirmed: “The appropriate sentence is nine months in custody.