A north-east coastguard has been fined £1,000 after failing to ensure his guns were kept in a secure place.
Stephen Quinn’s home was targeted by police officers as part of a series of routine spot-checks.
They discovered his shotguns and ammunition stored in an open cupboard in his home.
The licensed guns should have been in a locked container.
The 56-year-old, of Knockleith, Longside, admitted breaching firearms legislation when he appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court.
His actions were branded “totally unacceptable” by Sheriff Philip Mann.
The sheriff said: “It appears that you’ve got a number of firearms that people could have gained access to.
“It’s totally unacceptable that you let this situation develop.”
Quinn’s agent, solicitor John Adam, that guns had only been left out because of work being done at his home by a joiner.
Sheriff Mann said he was “satisfied” by the explanation and that the breach of the Firearms Act was not intentional.
“Nevertheless, you should have taken better care of the situation.”
Quinn, who is a certified firearm supervisor with an Aberdeen gun club, will not be banned from keeping weapons.
Mr Adam told the court that his client, who has been a coastguard for 28 years, had held a shotgun permit for approximately 35 years.
The offence was committed on December 16.
