A HUNTSMAN was found drunk and slumped over the wheel of his car with a revolver and ammunition in the vehicle, a court was told.

Nigel Church appeared at Canterbury Crown Court for sentence having admitted possessing a handgun and ammunition in a public place on May 6, and excess alcohol.

Church, a man with no criminal record, was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and banned from driving for 12 months. He was also fined £500 and ordered to pay £452 prosecution costs.

John O'Higgins, prosecuting, said a police officer saw Church at 2am at Great Mongeham slumped forward in the driver's seat of his car with the lights on and the engine running.

It took two minutes to rouse him and he was arrested. A breath test later showed 150 micrograms.

The car was searched and a silver Smith and Wesson revolver and two bullets were found. Three of the gun's five bullet chambers were blocked off.

Church, of Deal Road, Northbourne, said he had come from kennels and was allowed to have the weapon as he had a certificate. "It was true but he was not authorised to have the gun in these circumstances," said Mr O'Higgins.

Church used the gun in the humane killing of animals during the course of his duties as a huntsman.

That night he had been visiting people. He was depressed at the time due to the death of someone close to him and was also taking Beta-blockers.

"He had gone home and then gone out again and the gun should have been kept in his locked cabinet," said Mr O'Higgins.

Oliver Saxby, for Church, said he realised he was at grave risk of going to prison which would have catastrophic consequences for him and his family.

"I submit in this case the court is entitled to say there is an alternative to custody," said Mr Saxby, and added: "These are serious offences individually and particularly together."

There was no suggestion he had the gun for anything untoward and if the police had not come across him, he would not have come to the court's attention.

He drank more than he realised and was under stress at the time. "He is a hard working individual with financial obligations who has quickly accepted his guilt," said Mr Saxby.

Sentencing Church, Judge Nigel Van Der Bijl said: "If this had come before the court 30 years ago, the court would probably have passed a conditional discharge.

"The difficulty I have is that the use and possession of guns by all sorts of people is on the increase, particularly by criminals, and it is vital people must understand if they have a gun legitimately, they must make sure it is kept secure at all times.

"Even taking it and leaving it in the car can be dangerous at times. It is compounded by the fact that you were very drunk at the time you had possession of the gun which is why I cannot deal with this by way of a conditional discharge.

"The message and warning must be sent out that anyone in possession of a firearm practically for any reason at all, if they effectively breach the terms of their certificate, they must go to prison.

"But there are exceptional circumstances in your case. You are a huntsman and are entitled to have the gun. Indeed you need it for your job and the gun does have to be moved from one place to another."