POLICE found a handgun and ammunition when they searched the home of a man banned from firearms possession after his release from prison.

Durham Crown Court was told how Joseph Trevor Hunt, now 48, was given a ten-year prison sentence for an armed robbery at a post office in the West Midlands in 1996.

Ian Graham, prosecuting, said police carried out a search of his home in Prebends Field, Gilesgate Moor, Durham, on December 23, 2003, when he was still on licence following his release.

Officers recovered an Iraqi-made 9mm self-loading beretta-style pistol from under a cushion on the settee.

Although it was not loaded, 18 rounds of ammunition were found in two grey bags.

Mr Graham said tests on the weapon and ammunition revealed the automatic pistol, normally used in test firing, was in working order and 16 of the 18 rounds were live.

Marks Moore, for Hunt, who admitted possessing a weapon while prohibited, stressed the handgun was not loaded and was detached from the ammunition.

He said Hunt was looking after it for someone and none of his DNA was found on the gun.

Mr Moore said that Hunt has been working as a 'middle man' in the property market and has attempted to stay out of trouble.

Jailing him for three-and-a-half years, Judge Tony Briggs explained to Hunt: "You must appreciate that, as a result of new sentencing arrangements, if you commit something similar the total maximum would be a total of 20 years.

"It's perfectly plain that attitudes to complaints of firearms have changed considerably."

The judge also ordered the forfeiture of the weapon and ammunition.