A GARAGE mechanic who had two illegal firearms and grew cannabis is waiting to learn if he will be jailed.

Simon Robert Richard Maving, 45, pleaded guilty to possession of a bolt action rifle and possession of an air rifle without having a firearms certificate for either of them. He also admitted having .22 ammunition without a certificate.

His barrister Chris Dunn said at York Crown Court: “He is in possession of a dangerous weapon for a purpose that can probably best described as morbid fascination.”

He denied that either gun was used in connection with Maving’s cannabis activities. The stun gun had been hanging on a wall.

For the prosecution, Graham O’Sullivan said Maving had two magazines of pellets for the air rifle and had claimed in a police interview that he knew nothing about the .22 ammunition.

Maving, of Ings Garth, Pickering, also pleaded guilty to producing cannabis by growing 10 plants in what the Recorder of York, Judge Paul Batty QC described as a hydroponics system “with a certain degree of sophistication”.

He adjourned sentence while a pre-sentence report is prepared and warned Maving he would receive a custodial sentence.

“The issues is whether it is a suspended sentence or an immediate sentence,” he said.

Maving was released on bail until August 19.