A mother-of-two has gone to prison for five years after refusing to say why she stashed a Colt pistol and bullets at her home.

Diane Croucher was arrested last month when officers raided her home in Grosvenor Place in Margate.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how officers discovered a 7.65mm Colt pistol and ammunition in an outhouse.

But Judge Simon James heard Croucher, who admitted three firearms offences, refused to reveal who had given her the white handled weapon and the deadly ammunition and why she kept it close by.

Under sentencing legislation her admission to possessing the weapon meant she face a mandatory minimum jail term of five years.

But the 45-year-old, who is the carer for one of her sons, had few previous convictions – and her last offence was six years ago for travelling on a train without a ticket.

Judge Simon James told her: “Guns in the wrong hands have the capacity to kill or maim.”

He said the Government was so concerned about guns “falling into the wrong hands” that those caught with weapons faced at least five years in jail.

“You had in your possession and under your control not only a potentially deadly firearm but also expanded ammunition, making a very deadly proposition indeed.

“And although I have very little difficultly in accepting that you would not have used this gun personally, the fact is that your behaviour had made it possible for it to be placed back into the hands of those who almost certainly would have used it.”

He told a tearful Croucher that without people like her who were prepared to store guns "and keep quiet about it”, allowing criminals easy access to weapons which spread fear.

“You have pleaded guilty to this offence but have chosen to remain silent on how these items came into your possession.”

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant, Jason Booth, said: "Simply for possessing the firearm, Croucher is facing a lengthy sentence in prison.

"The weapon itself will be destroyed and no longer poses a risk to the wider public safety.

"We will continue our work to identify those who believe it is acceptable to own illegal firearms or weapons, and when found will be brought before the court for justice."