A FATHER who used an unlicensed shotgun to keep a fox away from his ducks stowed the weapon in his son’s wardrobe.

Ray Godfrey, 55, appeared before magistrates where he admitted possession of a shotgun without holding a certificate.

Lucy Miller, prosecuting, outlined how the police had searched Godfrey’s family home in High Birch Road, Weeley Heath, following reports of a disturbance.

She said: “No charges arose out of the alleged disturbance, but a search revealed a shotgun in the wardrobe of a bedroom used by his son, Keegan.

“Mr Godfrey said the gun was loaned by an acquaintance as Mr Godfrey had a problem with foxes on his land.

“He was unaware he needed a licence for the gun and said it was only intended to be used on private land.

“There are four and a half acres of ground where he was living and he was keeping ducks at the time - a fox had been a problem.

“He said his friend had given him two cartridges to use and that one day in the summer of 2018 he had shot and killed a fox.”

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard Godfrey, who has since moved to Bardfield Road, Thaxted, had moved the unloaded shotgun to the wardrobe for storage and had since forgotten about it.

Ms Miller added: “There is no suggestion there was any ammunition in the gun.”

John Oliver, mitigating, said: “It’s in the middle of nowhere, there was no risk to the public.

“The son did say he never heard the firearm discharged.

“Mr Godfrey, I understand, shot the fox while the family were out.”

Magistrates ordered Godfrey to pay £1,185 in fines.