A CACHE of ammunition was found by police in a kitchen vent at a former gamekeeper's home, a jury heard.

The discovery was revealed after Steven Poggiani, 30, was found guilty of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or violence.

He told Worcester Crown Court he had not threatened a neighbour or his six-year-old son with a gun.

Tariq Shakoor, prosecuting, said Poggiani had been committed for sentence by Kidderminster magistrates for having the ammunition -- three 9mm rounds, 21 bullets of .22 calibre and 10 bullet heads - without a firearms certificate.

Poggiani, of Kimberlee Avenue, Cookley, used a gun to cause Maurice Puttock, of Elan Close, Cookley, to fear violence. He was cleared of setting fire to Mr Puttock's car.

Recorder Michael Burrows adjourned sentence for a report and granted bail. He directed that Poggiani should live with relatives in Stourport, until he moves house to Kidderminster.

He ordered Poggiani not to have contact with the Puttock family .

Mr Puttock told the jury Poggiani pointed a fake pistol at him and yelled: "bang, bang, you're dead." When his six-year-old son came out of the house, the action was repeated.

The incident happened after Mr Puttock was prosecuted for threatening children with a fake gun for which he was given community service.

Poggiani had previous convictions for threatening behaviour, theft, attempted deception and criminal damage.

Dominic Bell, defending, claimed the prosecution case was flawed by dishonest witnesses who lied because they were afraid of being a laughing stock.

The ammunition, he said, had been in the vent for a decade.

Poggiani acquired it when he was a gamekeeper and had forgotten about it.