A LYMINGTON pensioner must cough up more than £1,600 after trespassing and possessing a firearm in public.

William George Knight, 69, was arrested by police officers after reports of two suspicious men shooting late at night on the Beaulieu Estate.

The court heard that, on March 9 at 10pm, one of the men had alleged that he had permission to be on the land and was hunting a fox that he had just seen.

But he had been witnessed to be standing on a public verge next to his vehicle with the firearm.

It was also later discovered that he did not have permission to be on the land.

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Appearing at Southampton Magistrates Court yesterday (April 4), Knight, of Sway Road, was found guilty of possessing a loaded firearm in a public place and trespassing on land with a firearm.

He was fined £900, ordered to pay £620 in court costs and a victim surcharge totalling £90.

PC Matt Thelwell of the CountryWatch team, said: “We hope that this conviction sends out a strong message to those with firearms licences across the New Forest, but who may be acting inappropriately with their legally held firearm.

“Whether that is poaching deer, shooting without permission – if we are aware that these offences are taking place we will seek to take robust action and bring those responsible in front of the courts and justice will be served.”

If you witness suspicious activity, or a crime taking place, please dial 101 or report it via the Hampshire Constabulary website. Dial 999 immediately if it is an emergency.