A PUB manager has admitted keeping a pump-action shotgun.

Patrick Gaffiero who works at the Hadley Bowling Green Inn, near Droitwich, bought the weapon more than 18 months ago but “did not know how to load it.”

He admitted keeping the pump-action shotgun without a licence and possessing a 100,000-volt electric stun gun before the city’s magistrates.

The 39-year-old said in a statement read out by Sarah Stock, prosecuting, he had kept the shotgun “through stupidity” and apologised for what he had done.

But Marie Eastwood, magistrates chairman, adjourned the case for an all-options pre-sentence report and said the matter could end up before the city’s crown court.

Police executed a warrant at Gaffiero’s former address on Main Road, Ombersley, on Tuesday, April 29, following a tip-off.

When officers searched the house they found a shotgun under his bed, a stun gun and some weapon cartridges.

Ms Stock, quoting Gaffiero’s statement in court, said: “He said the shotgun was covered in dust and he had had it less than two years.

“He said he kept the gun through stupidity and had not handed it in during a weapons armistice.”

Following the search, firearms officers identified the weapon as a Mossberg/New Haven 12-gauge shotgun with a six-cartridge capacity.

Gaffiero stated he had bought a handful of cartridges for £220 but had no idea how to load the shotgun, while the stun gun cost £80 but was “boxed and not used.”

It is not known where he got the weapons.

Adrian Gaynor-Smith, defending, said: “He is a man of good character and has never been in trouble before.”

Gaffiero was conditionally bailed to appear back at magistrates on Thursday, September 4.

  • We have been asked to make it clear that Gaffiero was not employed by the Hadley Bowling Green Inn at the time of the offence, and only took up his role on July 28 this year.