A former Territorial Army firearms instructor was accused of illegally hoarding ammunition by his wife during an acrimonious split.
Brechin man Mark Law admitted possessing 100 rounds of .270 calibre and 50 rounds of .22 ammunition at his former marital home in Eastmill Brae, on January 30 last year.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard his wife reported the 53-year-old to authorities as he did not possess a firearms certificate for that amount of ammunition.
Defending Law, solicitor Mike Short said his client had “lost his love” of guns after a long-running and very public split from Wendy Law.
The 63-year-old awaits sentence in the same court on May 30 over making allegations about Law on a lewd sign visible from the street which was described in the court on Thursday as a “window exhibition”.
The sign, and a loofah she placed alongside it, related to alleged sexual practices of her estranged spouse.
Mr Short said his client was estranged from Mrs Law at the time of his offence and had gone to stay in England for a short time, leaving ammunition in a locked safe at the address.
“She had concerns over missing property and advised the police that he was a firearms holder not in possession of a licence,” he said.
Police found he had 40 .270 rifle rounds in addition to the 60 he was allowed under a previous licence dated 2009, which has since expired without renewal.
Mr Short said his client had cooperated fully with police and “desired to remove himself from firearms altogether”.
“He was on the community council at the time and he had to resign, as he didn’t feel he was able to remain on it.
“He was in the TA and was given an honourable discharge after 12 years in the service, having trained many men to shoot,” Mr Short said.
“He spent 12 years at the behest of his countryhis love for that (guns) has now gone because of this incident,” he said.
Sheriff Kevin Veal said there is an onus on firearms certificate holders to comply with the terms of each agreement.
Law, of the town’s River Street, was fined £250.