Worksop man carried air rifle and spade through town in the early hours
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Alexis Mercer, mitigating, said Paul Whyte was spotted walking along Priorswell Road at 12.30am, on December 9, last year.
He was carrying an unloaded air rifle in a gun case and no ammunition was found. He told the officers he had been shooting rats along the canal.
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The court heard he has 27 previous convictions for 64 offences, but nothing of a similar nature, and has been out of trouble since 2014.
Nichola Thorpe, mitigating, said he bought the rifle from a friend and on the night had fallen out with his partner.
He decided against going ratting and hadn't appreciated that it is illegal to carry the rifle in a public place even if it is in a case, she added.
"He understands it will be confiscated," Ms Thorpe said. "He was fully cooperative and deserves full credit for his guilty plea."
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Whyte, aged 56, of Newbury Mews, Worksop, admitted possessing an air weapon in a public place when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The presiding magistrate told him: "It's not an offence we come across every day. The guidelines are very convoluted. It's no surprise you were confused where the law lies on this matter."
Whyte received a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £26 surcharge.
"You haven't bothered the courts for a long time," he was told. "You must keep out of trouble for the next 12 months."