A 32-year-old man has been found guilty of having an imitation firearm and more than 500 rounds of ammunition in the bedroom of his west Belfast home.
John Thomas Murphy, of Beechmount Close in the city, went on trial in a 'Diplock' hearing without a jury in February this year.
He denied four charges: possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing ammunition with intent, possessing the ammunition in suspicious circumstances, and possessing the ammunition without holding a relevant certificate.
Giving the judgment of Belfast Crown Court today, Judge Neil Rafferty said he was "satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt'' that Murphy had the imitation firearam with intent to cause fear or violence to another and found him guilty.
He also found him guilty of possessing 529 rounds of assorted ammunition in suspicious circumstances and possessing the ammunition without a firearms certificate.
However, the trial judge said he was not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Murphy had the ammunition with intent to endanger life and found him not guilty of the charge.
The imitation firearm and "various calibre rounds" of ammunition were found during an "intelligence-led'' police search of Murphy's home more than three years ago.
At the opening of the trial, prosecution barrister Philip Henry said they were located in two bags in the wardrobe of a bedroom on June 11 2017.
Also found were black Armour gloves, latex gloves and a black knuckle-duster.
It was the Crown's case that Murphy was linked to some of the items forensically, as his fingerprint was found on one of the bags, and his DNA was on a zip and also on gloves.
The court heard that Murphy's partner, who was present at the time of the search, told police: "That's the bedroom in which he sleeps'."
Murphy gave a 'no comment' response when being interviewed by police and declined to give evidence at his trial.
Following his conviction today, defence counsel Kieran Mallon said there would be no request for a pre-sentence report ahead of sentencing.
He applied to have Murphy released on continuing bail, saying that because of the Covid-19 pandemic a face-to-face consultation in prison is "quite limited''.
However, Mr Henry said that although Murphy had complied with his bail conditions, he was now convicted and invited the court to remand him in custody.
Judge Rafferty said: "The defendant is now awaiting sentence on a serious criminal matter and a custodial sentence is inevitable.
"With regret, even in these times, I have to refuse the application.''
Murphy was remanded into custody and will be sentenced on September 11.
