A SHOTGUN owner has been banned from owning the firearms after leaving them unattended in an unlocked, empty house.

Martin Alan Woolcock, 45, of Barratt Croft, Coniston, admitted leaving the shotguns unattended after rushing to his mother's aid.

Woolcock pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to comply with the conditions of a shotgun certificate when he appeared before South Cumbria Magistrates' Court in Barrow on December 13.

Two guns were found after baliffs attended Woolcock's address on June 15.

A third shotgun was also found to be in the care of another man, a firearms dealer, with Woolcock in the process of selling it.

Under the shotgun certificate, Woolcock is required to tell police of any change of circumstances and must keep them stored securely to prevent unauthorised access.

Woolcock said: "I got ripped off and I've been in debt since 2009.

"I was cleaning my guns when I heard the phone ringing upstairs. I saw it was my mother but I missed it and she didn't answer when I called back.

"She had cancer and I was worried about her health so I rushed round to see if she was okay.

"I shut the front door but I forgot to lock it.

"I realised I've made a mistake and I'm sorry for what I did but I would like to keep my guns for sport.

"I don't think I'm a criminal."

Woolcock, who held a shotgun certificate for 15 years, had his licence revoked and was ordered to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work over the next 12 months.

He was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £85 and court costs of £85.

The forfeiture and destruction of the three shotguns and ammunition was also ordered.

District Judge Gerald Chalk said: "This certificate is a privilege and not everyone has the right to get it.

"You have something that is capable of causing serious injury and this created a significant risk."