A PENSIONER who was "paranoid" after being robbed went to his door with a gun after hearing a noise outside, a court heard.
Edinburgh Sheriff Court today heard Ian Knight, 75, was paranoid and took out the rifle to frighten the people causing the racket.
Two boys aged 12 and 14 had been causing the noise and were stunned when Knight appeared with the weapon.
Fiscal
depute Ruth Ross-Davie said: "It was around 9pm when Knight was in his home and he heard a noise outside of his door and his response to that was to take one of his guns out with a view to frightening whoever was making a noise outside of his door.
"He went outside but he did not see anyone."
The court heard the two boys saw Knight even though he did not see them and were "very frightened".
Ms Ross-Davie added that a parent had contacted police.
Knight, admitted having a firearm in his possession on 10 March this year at his home at Telford Road, Edinburgh.
Defence agent Murray Robertson said Knight, who was formerly in the RAF, was trained in rifles and kept a number at his home but did not require to have a licence for the weapons. He added that the weapon Knight had taken out was a Winchester Rifle with a long barrel and was not capable of firing.
Mr Robertson said Knight had become paranoid after he was robbed and his neighbours were robbed in their own home.
He said: "He does understand that whether or not he saw the children this must have been extremely frightening for them."
Mr Robertson also said Knight was planning to sell his home and move into sheltered housing accommodation.
Sheriff Elizabeth Jarvie QC deferred sentence on Knight until next month for background reports. His guns have been forfeited in the mean time.
