An allegation that a man had threatened to bring a gun to court and shoot people prompted a police search of a residence that uncovered a stolen shotgun hidden between two mattresses last month.
The shooting allegation proved to be unsubstantiated and no charges were ever laid in connection to the claim, but the 42-year-old Red Deer man pleaded guilty on Friday in provincial court to two weapons charges.
David Lee Maycock was sentenced to a day in jail and fined about $100 after pleading guilty to unauthorized possession of a firearm and having a firearm not properly secured.
Crown prosecutor Maurice Collard told court that RCMP received information in early January that Maycock had made threats to shoot someone at the courthouse.
Police obtained a search warrant for a residence and discovered a stolen 12-gauge shotgun hidden between two mattresses on Jan. 10.
The gun was reported stolen in 2006.
Defence lawyer John MacNaughton told Judge Gordon Deck that his client bought the gun from a third party.
Maycock didn’t have a firearm licence.
Collard sought a three- to five-year firearms prohibition, which wasn’t granted by Deck.
The gun was ordered to be returned to the rightful owner.
Maycock told court he was upset at the time because his truck had been stolen.
“I said some things I shouldn’t have,” he said.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com