POLICE alerted to a gun incident in Great Witley found a gas-operated firearm in the boot of a vehicle being driven on a hotel car park.

Terrance Hope, who was living at the Hundred House Hotel in the village, had earlier had an airgun and a hunting knife confiscated by the manager, Worcester Crown Court heard.

In a third scare, police also seized a replica handgun from the glovebox of another car Hope was seen driving recklessly, said Glyn Samuel, prosecuting.

Hope, 59, now of Worcester Street, Stourbridge, pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm in public and possession of firearms when prohibited under a five-year ban because of his prison record.

Jailing him for 13 months, Recorder Barbara Carter said the use of guns was an increasing problem in society and the public needed protection.

Hope was already serving a 12-month sentence for other firearms offences and in 2003 was prosecuted for a bomb hoax.

He also had a record for affray and deception.

A chambermaid tidying Hope's hotel room found an airgun in January last year, which was confiscated, said Mr Samuel.

A month later, police followed the defendant's Mercedes on to the hotel car park and found the replica gun inside the vehicle.

Two days later, police began investigating reports that a number of people had been threatened in the Great Witley area.

They found Hope driving on the car park in the early hours.

He had a pistol holder on his hip and in the car boot was another airgun, powered by gas.

Samantha Forsyth, defending, gave no explanation to the court about why Hope was carrying guns.

She said he had indicated to police his ignorance of the firearms acts.