TWO men have been warned they face jail after guns and a dead young deer were found in a pick-up truck in the New Forest.

The pair were arrested after being stopped by a police anti-poaching patrol on a country lane at Picket Post shortly after 11pm.

Police found two loaded rifles in the rear of the vehicle and the 12-month-old fallow prickett underneath.

A search of the home of 33-year-old David Cailes revealed a sawn-off shotgun as well as ammunition.

Cailes and Ian Robinson, 43, appeared before Southampton Crown Court where they admitted firearms offences.

The three weapons, which lay on a table in front of prosecutor Mark Balysz and defence lawyers Charles Gabb and Frank Abbott, were examined by Judge Jeremy Burford QC during the hearing.

Cailes, a vermin controller, of Dugdell Close, Ferndown, admitted unlawfully killing the deer, and possessing a shortened .22 calibre Martini rifle and ten cartridges and a .243 Steyr Mannlicher rifle with ammunition.

The judge warned him: "A custodial sentence is very likely in your case."

Mr Gabb said he had bought the shortened rifle at a car boot sale.

Robinson, a carpet fitter, of Dudsbury Road, West Parley, pleaded guilty to possessing a .22 calibre Marlin Golden 39-A Mountie lever action rifle and ammunition.

"All sentencing options are open in your case," the judge told him.

Cailes and Robinson were bailed for sentence on Monday, June 13.

First published: May 6