A man found with a sawn-off shotgun was jailed for 12 months yesterday.

Stuart Duncan, 44, of Stanley Way, Crook, admitted a charge of possessing a firearm without a licence at Teesside Crown Court.

Christopher Williamson, prosecuting, told the court police officers had been tipped off and found the gun behind Duncan's wardrobe on July 14 this year.

At first he told officers he had the gun to "frighten them off" because he had been "scared stiff" after receiving menacing phone calls.

Christopher Baker, defending, said Duncan had received threats after borrowing £50 from an acquaintance. This, said Mr Baker, left Duncan petrified and terrified for his life.

He said Duncan formerly played football for Tow Law and Crook, and currently helped children in the area with soccer coaching.

Judge Peter Armstrong sentenced Duncan to 12 months