THE former chairman of a Worcester shooting club has been given a suspended jail sentence for possessing an illegal weapon and ammunition.

Graham Lane kept an arsenal of weapons at his house in Kilbury Drive, off Spetchley Road, which were removed by police following a raid in September last year.

Armed police and a bomb disposal team discovered more than 30 firearms – most of which he had licences for.

Neighbours watched in astonishment as officers removed guns, shells, rocket launchers, grenades and ammunition from the semi-detached property.

Hereford Crown Court was told how police had already seized Lane’s 7.62 semi-automatic rifle between July 31, 2009, and March 5 last year – six months before the raid on his home.

When officers swooped on his property they also discovered 12 live rounds of .45 ACP ammunition which he did not have a licence for.

A spokesman for Worcester Norton Shooting Club said Lane was on “sabbatical” from his role as chairman during the police investigation.

In August, Lane pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a semi-automatic rifle and live ammunition.

Appearing at Hereford Crown Court last week he was given a 12-month sentence suspended for two years. He was also given 150 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £500 towards court costs.

An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the illegal items.

Neil Brazier, secretary of Worcester Norton Shooting Club, said: “Graham Lane is still on sabbatical.

"He is no longer chairman or holder of any posts within Worcester Norton Shooting Club.

"We have our monthly committee meeting on Thursday night and that issue will be on the agenda.”

Club member Terry Sims said he thought Lane had been harshly treated.

He said: “Graham dedicated his life to the club, building it up from a derelict army range. It is sad that this has happened.

"It was all to do with a technicality on the licence – he didn’t read the small print.

"Some people at the club want him out completely. I don’t see why he should be banned from going there for a drink.

"It looks like the committee are going to have a vote on the matter.”