A RHOS man whose hobby is collecting Second World War memorabilia has been jailed for four years after a pistol he had hanging on a wall as a display turned out to be a prohibited weapon which could fire bullets.

David Elwyn Richards, 35, was also found to have an air rifle when he was prohibited from owning one because he had previously been in prison.

It was said at Mold Crown Court that Richards, of Maes y Gornel, Rhos, did not have the weapons for any sinister purpose. They were found at his parents' home at Heol Kenyon, Johnstown, where he previously lived, when police executed a search warrant.

Defending barrister Andrew Jebb said his client used to have the pistol hanging on the wall.

His new girlfriend did not like it, he had placed it in a drawer and that was where it had remained in his former bedroom at his parents' home. He had not been in that room for about 10 months.

Richards had not realised it was a prohibited weapon, and did not appreciate it could actually fire bullets - otherwise he would have handed it in to police.

The air rifle, which did not work, had been bought in the hope his son in later life would use it as a hobby.

Richards admitted possessing a Webley Mark Four .445 calibre service revolver with a smooth bore, a prohibited weapon, and possessing the semi-automatic air rifle within five years of his release from a prison sentence.

Judge John Rogers QC said the offence carried a minimum sentence of five years unless he found there were exceptional circumstances. He did find such circumstances and therefore reduced the sentence to four years.

The judge said he accepted all the defence submissions, but added: 'The overall purpose of this specific legislation is to reduce the number of firearms in circulation. It does not matter for what purpose someone has possession of a prohibited weapon.

'In the end, I have to remember that parliament has indicated a five-year minimum and I can only go below that in exceptional circumstances.

'I go as low as I can but I cannot go lower than four years.'

Richards received concurrent four-year sentences on the two charges.

Prosecuting barrister Nicholas Williams said that on January 13 police acting on information executed a search warrant under The Firearms Act at the home of Richards' parents, where he used to live. In a chest of drawers in his former bedroom was the revolver in a holster and at some stage the barrel had been bored out. It was in proper working order and fired bullets when tested.

The .22 air rifle was faulty and did not work.

Interviewed, Richards said he believed the revolver was a replica, he had sprayed it with black paint and made a holster for it.

He could not remember how he came into possession of it, as it was such a long time ago.

Mr Jebb said Williams had the revolver for six years and did not appreciate it could work. It had been in a poor state and Richards, who had an interest in World War Two memorabilia, had not hidden it in any way. In fact, it had been on the wall in previous years. He never had any ammunition.