A man who took bullets he found lying on the ground in Northfleet has pleaded guilty to possessing ammunition.

Thomas James Morrison, 48, of Waterdales, Northfleet, appeared before Dartford Magistrates after police found nine rounds of rifle bullets in his home.

A search warrant was issued for the property after he was seen in an area where police were investigating a wild bird trapping site.

Police found the rounds in a tin in his kitchen. There was no weapon in the property.

Morrison claimed he had found the ammunition in a public place some three to four weeks earlier and had kept them to give to a friend who was currently away on holiday.

The court heard how Morrison had held a shotgun licence for nearly 30 years with no previous issues.

Speaking to Morrison, magistrate Barry Page said: “In the circumstances we are willing to accept that you had no intent to use the ammunition.”

He was given a conditional discharge for one year and was ordered to pay court costs of £85 and £15 victim surcharge.