A MAN who hid a loaded pistol in the wall insulation at his home has been warned he could be jailed for five years.

Ian Tucker, 39, was refused bail when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court and he was remanded in custody to await sentencing.

The court heard that police searched Tucker’s bungalow in Lewis Road, Istead Rise, near Gravesend, in May 2004. The 9mm self-loading Parabellum pistol with three Luger bullets in the magazine was discovered.

Another three bullets were found in a Post Office money bag on top of a kitchen cupboard.

Tucker denied possessing a prohibited weapon and two offences of possessing ammunition without a firearms certificate, but was convicted.

He admitted possessing two other bullets which, although different from the others, could still be fired from the same gun.

Tucker also admitted possessing a small amount of heroin and amphetamine.

Ian Foinette, prosecuting, said the pistol was wrapped in tissue and in an Asda carrier bag hidden within the cavity wall insulation of a new extension at the back of the property. Tucker claimed he had no idea the gun was there and suggested a friend might have put it there.

Adjourning sentence until June 21, Judge Jeremy Carey told Tucker he had been convicted on clear evidence. “You must now take the consequences,” he said. “They are very serious.

“Parliament has decided that people like you who are convicted of these offences face a minimum jail term of five years.”

The judge said he was refusing bail because there was a risk Tucker would not appear for sentence.

* Tucker originally stood trial for the offences in March last year but the jury was discharged after a witness shouted a controversial comment at them.

Jurors had retired to consider a verdict and were about to be sent back out to continue their deliberations when a man made the outburst from the public gallery.

The judge said the incident would be investigated as a possible contempt of court