Two north-east men have denied storing a cache of “homemade guns” and running a cannabis factory in Aberdeenshire.
Ian Robertson and Raymond Panton are accused of possession of improvised shotguns and ammunition at a farm just outside New Deer
It is alleged the men had the makeshift weapons “as protection” after two masked men allegedly raided their home with a Samurai sword and a cosh before stealing a hoard of cannabis plants.
Robertson, 40, and Panton, 54, denied all the charges against them when they appeared at the High Court in Aberdeen yesterday.
Both men have launched a special defence of incrimination in relation to one charge.
They claim two others were responsible for producing cannabis, a class B drug, at Parkhill Stores, Greens, New Deer, where they lived at the time.
The pair both deny being in possession of illegal weapons.
Panton has also denied obstructing officers who were protecting a crime scene and acting in a threatening and abusive manner by threatening to shoot police.
Giving evidence yesterday, Alexander Ritchie, who is a former local liaison officer for the police in Turriff, said he had been called to the farm by Panton who had claimed his lodger was in possession of a firearm.
The court heard Robertson, now of Stevenburn Croft, New Deer, Turriff, had been renting a room from Panton at Parkhill Stores between January and August 15 last year.
Mr Ritchie said that the initial information the police received was from Panton, who claimed to be aware of a homemade shotgun being kept in the house.
Mr Ritchie said Panton had told him: “I do not know where he is keeping it but I know the firearms is here somewhere and I am concerned about what may happen to it.”
The court heard that when officers appeared he allowed them access to the house and showed them a room which contained a bed and metal shelving.
Mr Ritchie said the floor was scattered with empty shotgun cartridges and there was an item wrapped in rags which had been placed behind the shelves.
The court heard that on further inspection the item was discovered to be made of metal poles and appeared to look like a “homemade” shotgun.
Firearms officer Andrew Cruickshank also gave evidence yesterday.
He said that when examining the item it appeared the makeshift gun could be fired by using a pumping action and inserting one metal pole inside the other.
The court heard that when speaking to officers who first went to the house Panton said Robertson had the gun for “protection” after his house had been robbed of cannabis plants and he had been assaulted.
He said the men had their faces covered and were brandishing weapons.
The trial, before Lord Bannatyne, continues.