One of Scotland’s longest-surviving transplant patients is behind bars after police seized illegal firearms including a ‘slam fire’ gun and a Chinese stun gun from his home.
Murray Thomson was held in June this year after a raid at his flat in East Kilbride.
The National Crime Agency were tipped off that illegal firearms were being stored there.
Officers seized a string of weapons including air guns and a high-powered stun gun.
It landed the 62-year-old first offender at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.
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He pleaded guilty to a total of nine charges of possessing the weapons and ammunition.
His appearance in the dock comes 41 years after the engraver received a life-changing kidney transplant.
Thomson had been struck with a serious condition as a young child.
The dad was recently selected in 2018 to compete in the British Transplant Games.
His advocate Tony Lenehan told the hearing: “He is one the longest-standing transplant patients.
“This has brought him since into contact with transplant charitable organisations.”
But, Thomson was yesterday remanded in custody and faces a lengthy jail-term when he is sentenced next month.
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The court earlier heard Thomson was in his two-bedroom flat when officers burst in and seized the slam fire firearm, a Chinese-made stun gun, five air weapons and ammunition.
Prosecutor Graeme Jessop said Thomson confirmed he owned the weapons, bought online.
He also revealed that he had recently joined a gun club.
The hearing was told Thomson had been suffering from personal issues at the time, which had been ongoing for a number of years.
Mr Lenehan said these included the death of his father and “business misfortunes”.
The advocate added Thomson had previously been a “positive” member of his local community.
Lord Beckett deferred sentencing for reports until November 27 in Edinburgh.
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