A CACHE of powerful firearms were found at a Blaenavon home when police carried out a search, Cardiff Crown Court has heard.

There were three "over powered" air rifles and another rifle. One of the weapons had telescopic sights.

There were also 623 rounds of ammunition, some of it more than 20 years old.

Kelvin Bick, 60, a man with no previous convictions, of Ty Fry Close, pleaded guilty to possessing fire arms and ammunition without a certificate and having prohibited ammunition without a certificate.

He was jailed for eight months, the sentence suspended for two years, made subject to a two month curfew from 8pm to 6am involving electronic tagging and has to pay £750 prosecution costs.

Judge Nicholas Cooke said it was "an exceptional case in which Bick had already suffered significantly."

The court heard that the police raid took place on the day of the funeral of his mother, for whom he had cared continuously for ten years.

Prosecutor John Probert said that a sum of cash was also found in the house and this was ceased by the police who went on to freeze his bank account.

Mr Probert said that acting on certain information on Dec 6 2008, the police went to Bick's home and after a search discovered the fire arms and ammunition.

Bick was arrested and said he had bought some of the items in a car boot sale and had used some for pest control.

One weapon had not been used for five years.

An order was made for the weapons ammunition to be confiscated.

Defence counsel Stephen Dennis said Bick had always lived in the countryside and from the age of ten had legitimately used weapons.

He held a shotgun certificate for some items since 2006 but that was likely to be reviewed.

At no time, said Mr Dennis, had Bick realised some of the guns were over powered.

He added, "The proceedings themselves, which have lasted two years, have been a punishment in themselves. Prison would not be appropriate."

The judge said a significant feature for the case was the long delay in it coming to court but the fault lay with the court, the prosecution and the defence.

He said there had been no justification for the seizing of the case and the seizing of the bank account but those acting on Bick's behalf had not applied for the return of the money.

"All this caused great stress as has been the long wait," added the Judge.

He pointed out that most people in possession of fire arms without a certificate, could expect imprisonment.