A MAN made subject of a suspended prison sentence for a gun threat was found in possession of two air rifles only seven months later, a court heard.

Despite responding well to the community element of the sentence, imposed on June 29 last year, Peter Griffiths put himself at risk of having the prison term activated by merely possessing the air weapons.

Durham Crown Court was told police executed a warrant at the caravan where Griffiths was living, on derelict land behind Johnson Street, Bishop Auckland, on January 31.

Phillip Morley, prosecuting, said Griffiths was “co-operative”, showing the officers round the caravan, and, when asked if he had any weapons, producing two air rifles.

He told the officers one was his and the other belonged to his nephew.

Mr Morley said Griffiths confirmed he was not permitted to possess the rifles, due to his previous conviction.

He was arrested and, when interviewed, told police he believed he could have them, if only on private property.

But, he conceded, “it was stupid”, given he was still subject to the suspended sentence.

Asked why he needed them, he said he used the rifles to control rats on land around the caravan, as he did not want to put down poison, in case it was taken by his dogs.

The court heard Griffiths’ record features 32 convictions for 114 offences.

Mr Morley said: “Of particular note among them is the last conviction, when he was made subject of a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.”

He told the court it involved Griffiths making threats and firing an air rifle outside his sister’s home.

“Although it didn’t hit anyone, the allegations were that he discharged it when other people were present.”

Forty-six-year-old Griffiths, now of Eskdale Place, Newton Aycliffe, admitted being in possession of air weapons when prohibited, and breaching the suspended sentence.

Christopher McKee, mitigating, said Griffiths put “in jeopardy” his good work with the Probation Service, by possessing the air weapons.

“It was extremely foolish, given the good progress with the suspended sentence order.

“He did have problems with vermin in the past and it was an air rifle, which most people can legally possess.

“It was not meant for malicious purposes,” said Mr McKee, who urged the Recorder to give his client, “the benefit of the doubt”.

Recorder Jeremy Baker agreed to give Griffiths what he said amounted to, “a second last chance”.

He made him subject of a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with a four-month electronically-monitored 8pm - 7am home curfew.

He also ordered Griffiths to pay the £340 prosecution costs for the hearing.