THE son of a firearms dealer left ammunition on the dashboard of his car and had guns left unsecured in his unlocked house, a court heard.

Prosecutor Ian Culley told New Forest magistrates that police spotted ammunition for a .22 rifle in Mark Whitfield's car which was unattended in a car park at Milford-on-Sea.

They also found shotgun cartridges in the boot of his vehicle and when they went to his house and asked him about security, his metal gun cabinet was not locked.

Mr Culley added that officers found a Remington rifle and another rifle in the corner of a room, and that two windows and a door were not locked.

While they were there, he said, Whitfield drove up but sped off and was later found and was prosecuted for a serious motoring offence.

Defending solicitor Ian Davis stressed that the case was not one which involved guns being used for any sinister purpose.

"He was breaking the law, but there was no criminal intent. Unfortunately, he became careless, but he appreciates the seriousness of the situation," he said.

Whitfield, 42, of Shorefield Crescent, Milford-on-Sea, had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to four charges of failing to comply with a firearms certificate and one of failing to comply with a shotgun certificate.

In imposing 200 hours community service with £50 costs, bench chairman Foster Herd ordered the destruction of Whitfield's ammunition and guns, including one which belonged to his father.

He said: "These are serious offences and you certainly seem to have taken a rather cavalier attitude towards your firearms - leaving ammunition in a car that is unattended and leaving weapons around the house unattended.

"These are not the actions we would expect from someone whose father is a firearms dealer."