Court hears of couple's 'alarm' after pensioner discharged shotgun over public park

A pensioner who recklessly discharged a shotgun over a public park in Melrose has been fined £1,200 and ordered to pay a £75 victim surcharge.

Edward Hopkins, who's 71 and from Dudley Gardens in Edinburgh, admitted the offence - which took place on February 4th - shortly before his case was due to go to trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court today (Thursday).

Procurator fiscal Alasdair Fay said a couple who were walking along a nearby footpath were left "alarmed" by the incident, having reported hearing "a loud pop" and spotting a crow in distress.

Hopkins was seen in the grounds of a property he owns in the neighbouring Abbey Mill Park - but initially denied the offence.

At the time it was thought he was carrying an air rifle, but it later turned out to be a 12-gauge shot gun.

Sheriff Janys Scott warned Hopkins discharging a firearm from a domestic property, across a playing field, was "a very serious matter".

But his solicitor, Ross Dow, said the first offender had no intention of using a gun again and has since returned his firearms licence.

Mr Dow added: "He (Hopkins) did not think anyone was there."

A plea of not guilty to a charge of failing to store the shotgun securely was accepted by the Crown.

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