A RABBIT shooter from Wrexham has admitted possessing a firearm in a public place.

Clive David Thomas, 23, of Cae Gabriel, Penycae, pleaded guilty to the offence which occurred on August 16.

Justin Espie, prosecuting, said security staff at Redwither Tower on Redwither Road spotted Thomas pointing an Airwolf air rifle out of a passenger car window as the vehicle moved slowly down the road.

Police followed the vehicle and found two air rifles on the back seat.

Andrew Connor from the probation service told the court Thomas accepted full responsibility for his actions but did not know he was breaking the law.

Alun Williams, defending, said the incident occurred in a quiet area and Thomas was using the torch on the air rifle to look into woodland at the side of the road to shoot rabbits.

He added Thomas had shown genuine remorse and had sold his own two air rifles but said the Airwolf air rifle did not belong to him.

Magistrates' chairman Mike Jones gave Thomas a 12 month community order including a three month curfew between the hours of 7pm and 7am.

He was also deprived of the Airwolf air rifle and told to pay £85 in court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.