POLICE stopped an X-type Jaguar car carrying three men and a youth and found a gun and ammunition hidden under the bonnet, a court has heard.

The home of the driver, Domenyk James LattlayFott-foy, 41, was under observation and police were videoing him.

Mr LattlayFottfoy, formerly Noonan, and defendants Aaron Shane Berry, 20 and Adam Walsh, 18, were later stopped on the A167, in Darlington, by armed officers, having been followed from Manchester.

Mike Smith, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court that on May 9, Mr LattlayFottfoy's home in Manchester was being watched by police.

At about 12.10pm, the trio were seen leaving Mr LattlayFottfoy's house, with a 13-year-old youth. They got into the Jaguar.

Walsh was seen carrying a "black object" into the car.

They then got out of the car and lifted the bonnet. Walsh returned to the car carrying an object and went back to the bonnet, which was closed, before they got back in and drove off.

Mr Smith said the car was followed and crossed the M62, heading up the A1, before being stopped by police in Darlington at about 2pm.

Under the Jaguar's bonnet, strapped to the side of the battery, they found a bag. Inside was a duster containing a revolver and five bullets.

The German-manufactured revolver had originally fired only blanks, but had been converted to fire real bullets, said Mr Smith.

All four occupants of the car were arrested, but Mr LattlayFottfoy said he knew nothing about the gun and ammunition.

He told police he had been to the North-East before and had been having a repair done on his car. He said he believed Walsh had been showing Berry some damage to the car when the bonnet was lifted up.

Mr LattlayFottfoy denies possession of a prohibited firearm, a converted 9mm revolver, possessing five .357 magnum rounds without a firearm certificate and having a firearm and ammunition in a public place.

The trial continues.

* Walsh and Berry, of Taymouth Avenue, both of Manchester, yesterday pleaded guilty to charges of possessing a prohibited firearm and possessing ammunition without a certificate. They are expected to be sentenced at the conclusion of the trial.