A Dundee gun enthusiast is behind bars after storing a weapon for a fellow fanatic since jailed for having one of the UK’s deadliest arsenal of firearms.
Paul Markie was found with a Smith and Wesson pistol and ammunition in his work locker in Dundee last April.
Markie, 55, told police he had the items for farmer David Evans, who he knew due to their shared love of guns.
Evans is currently serving 16 years in jail after being caught with a fearsome haul of weapons including uzis and a Kalashnikov following a raid by West Midlands police.
A judge heard how a probe into Markie was sparked after he mistakenly left legitimate gun parts on a train while travelling to meet another collector.
The first offender now faces at least five years in jail after pleading guilty to a string of firearms charges at the High Court in Glasgow.
He was remanded in custody and will learn his fate next month.
The court heard Markie traded in “obsolete, antique and deactivated” firearms and parts with contacts he met via the web, magazines and at gun shows.
Prosecutor David Taylor said there was “nothing criminal in this activity”.
Last April, the painter travelled from his Dundee home planning to meet another enthusiast in Inverness.
Markie had with him in a holdall parts of a deactivated gun.
But, after realising he was on the wrong train, he got off without taking the bag with him.
The holdall was eventually found by rail staff before police were called in.
Markie later feared officers would trace him and he began getting rid of the Smith and Wesson gun and ammo he illegally had.
He ditched bullets in Dighty Burn in Dundee and stashed the weapon at his work in West Pitkerro Industrial Estate.
Markie was later traced there and when police asked to search his locker, he claimed: “If you want, it’s just work stuff that’s in it.”
But, officers discovered the Smith and Wesson along with other ammunition. The bullets at Dighty Burn were found by a dog walker.
Markie later admitted he had been “holding” the items on behalf of David Evans, who he had got to know years earlier. He said that Evans had “entrusted” him with the Smith and Wesson and ammunition.
Markie added he had “panicked” after realising he had left the holdall on the train.
The court heard a total of more than 500 bullets were recovered, The pistol was also found to be in good working order.
Markie who has since lost his job pleaded guilty to a total of five firearms charges.
Sentencing was deferred for reports until April 27 in Livingston.