A LOWESTOFT man who hid a shotgun behind a panel in his kitchen has been jailed for 12 months.

Leslie Colvin, 29, had removed the gun's bolt to prevent it being used but had left it insecure in a magazine rack in the house.

Jailing him for 12 months on Monday at Ipswich Crown Court, Judge Rupert Overbury said although Colvin had stored the bolt separately after removing it, the shotgun could have easily been assembled and used.

'It remained a lethal weapon and could have caused injury or worse,' said the judge.

Robert Sadd, prosecuting, told the court that Colvin - who had been sentenced to a four-year jail term for violence when he was 20 and was therefore not allowed to be in possession of a gun - also had 25 rounds of ammunition in his house.

Colvin, of Bonds Meadow, Oulton Broad, admitted possessing a firearm without a certificate, possessing a firearm while prohibited, possessing firearm ammunition while prohibited, producing a small number of cannabis plants and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Beebee Hamid, for Colvin, said her client had been asked to look after the gun by someone he was frightened of and had agreed to do it only reluctantly, because he was scared for himself and his family.

She said he had then removed part of the gun so it could not be used and regretted having it in his home.

Mrs Hamid said the amount of cannabis found in his possession was �25-�30 and was the result of him and a few friends clubbing together and taking it in turns to buy cannabis for their own use.