CORSHAM businessman Duncan Liddle has been fined £1,500 for storing an unlicensed shotgun in a cupboard.

Magistrates in Chippe-nham told 46-year-old Liddle on Monday he would escape a jail sentence but needed a heavy punishment to act as a deterrent to people who flout stringent gun laws.

Bench chairman Sheila Kimmons said: "This is a very serious offence and in the light of previous incidents where firearms were involved you can understand the great concerns."

Liddle was facing the possibility of a jail sentence after admitting possessing a shotgun without a firearms certificate.

Prosecutor Rhys Davies said police officers were called to Liddle's house in Velley Hill, Gastard, on December 6 by his estranged wife, who feared he would use the gun against himself.

Magistrates heard how the couple had split up earlier in the day and Liddle was looking after their eight-year-old daughter at the family home.

Mr Davies said Liddle's wife became concerned about the shotgun in the house and called police to carry out checks.

Officers carried out an initial welfare check at 1.15am and asked Liddle about the gun.

He denied having a weapon on the premises and officers left after making a brief search.

Calling back at 2.15am officers asked Liddle about a cupboard under the stairs at which point he became "evasive".

Search teams carried out a full check and found the shotgun hidden in a

cupboard behind a deep freezer.

Liddle said he borrowed the gun from a friend to go on a shooting meeting but had forgotten to return the weapon to a Mendip gun club where it was stored.

The gun owner, who didn't realise the shotgun was still missing, backed up the story when quizzed by police.

Defence solicitor John Elliott said there was no proof Liddle had suicide in mind during what was a "very traumatic evening".

Mr Elliott said: "Mr Liddle had originally intended to return the gun but he had overlooked it because of the difficulties in his marriage.

"There was no question of self-harm on the part of my client.

"There was no ammunition and a gun without ammunition is virtually useless."

Magistrates ordered Liddle to pay the £1,500 fine in addition to £118 court costs.