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 ÂŁ1,200 and ordered to pay a ÂŁ75 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.