A TOWN man, who sparked off a security alert at Coventry Airport after an illegal gun and ammunition were found in his car, has "an unusual fascination" with firearms.

Now, at the request of his barrister, Edward Garofano is to be examined by a psychologist before he is sentenced for a number of firearms offences.

Garofano, aged 41, of Willow Road, Bromsgrove, was arrested on July 25 after security staff and the police became concerned about his behaviour at Coventry Airport. In his car they found a Walther PPK semi-automatic pistol, a magazine containing seven rounds of ammunition for the gun, which is a prohibited weapon, and a CS gas canister.

As a result of Garogano's arrest, there was a full security alert during which four people he had taken to the airport were also arrested, but then released.

In addition, a flight to Vienna in Austria was delayed for four hours while the plane and buildings were searched by police.

After his arrest, Garogano's home was searched by officers who found other weapons including as sawn-off pump action Smith and Wesson shotgun, a .45 self-loading Colt semi-automatic pistol and another .45 self-loading pistol.

The officers also found a quantity of illegal hollow point ammunition designed to be used with a pistol and to expand on impact, otherwise known as dum-dum bullets, and seven rounds of .45 pistol ammunition, also designed to expand on impact.

At Warwick Crown Court, Garofano pleased guilty to three charges of possessing prohibited firearms, one of possessing a prohibited rifle and one of possessing a prohibited weapon - the CS gas spray.

He also admitted two charges of possessing expanding ammunition and one of possessing a firearm and ammunition in a public place, the airport.

Prosecutor Tim Green said that in addition a form had been prepared setting out other possible offences which, when he is sentenced, Garofano may ask to have taken into consideration.

Ian Speed, defending, said: "Mr Garofano is well aware custody is inevitable in this case, and he is also aware of the Criminal Justice Act minimum mandatory sentence."

Under that act, Garofano is facing a minimum prison sentence of five years, subject to any mitigating factors put forward on his behalf.

Mr Speed asked for the case to be adjourned for a psychological report to be prepared on Garofano before he is sentenced.

Judge Richard Griffiths-Jones questioned why that report was being requested, rather than a psychiatric report.

Mr Speed explained: "While Mr Garofano is of sound mind, it is his unusual obsession with firearms which I wish to be explored."

The judge agreed to adjourn the case until late November for the report to be prepared, and Garofano was remanded in custody.