A FATHER and son are facing the potential of a statutory minimum five year prison sentence because of a vintage pistol.

The 1891 Smith and Wesson revolver was found in a lock up in Oakenholt near Flint.

Phillip Norman Williams, 64, of Tanyfelin in Greenfield and Daniel David Williams, 34, of Wern Ucha in Bagillt, appeared in the dock at Mold Crown Court where they admitted possessing the single shot target pistol with a barrel less than 30cm between August 2016 and March 2018 without the approval of the Secretary of State.

Phillip Williams also admitted that he possessed quantities of ammunition, including ammunition designed to expand on impact, without a firearms certificate.

The court was told that the case attracted a statutory minimum five year sentence unless there were exceptional circumstances.

Both defendants would argue that there were, the court was told.

Barrister Sion ap Mihangel, for the son, said there was no issue between the prosecution and defence.

The extent of his possession of the weapon amounted to him holding it in a photograph, a selfie, back in 2015.

He had also said in his police interview that on one occasion he replaced the gun still in a tea towel wrapping when it fell to the floor.

The defendant had no other involvement with the gun, Mr Mihangel said.

He would be asking for the court to consider that there were exceptional circumstances.

Robin Boag, for Phillip Williams, the father, said his client accepted he gun was in his possession although he was not the owner of it.

He had inherited in from a friend who had since died.

"It was left in his charge," Mr Boag explained. That person has since died.

"He was asked to retain it by a relative of the deceased."

Mr Boag said he would also be asking the court to find that that there were exceptional circumstances not to impose the statutory minimum sentence.

Judge Merfyn Hughes QC rebailed them both pending sentence on April 16.

The judge said an immediate custodial sentence was inevitable but it was very important that they gave their advocates instructions so they knew exactly what their cases were.

"It may affect sentence in terms of length," he said.