WWII veteran, 89, faces jail after weapons and ammo stash found in Surrey home

An 89-year-old World War II veteran faces jail after stashing weapons and ammunition in his Surrey home.

Michael De Bidaph was found with an arsenal including pistols and revolvers at his home in Warlingham, along with 568 bullets and rounds of ammunition.

Among the weapons found was a Russian Nagant M1895, formerly a standard issue revolver in the Russian imperial army and banned in the UK.

At Southwark Crown Court, De Bidaph admitted possessing the Nagant MI895, and a further charge of possessing banned ammunition.

The former president of the Indian Riders Motorcycle Club appeared frail in the dock, and strained to hear proceedings, reports the Telegraph.

In December 2014, used car dealer David Caroline, 60, was not jailed after he was caught leaving De Bidaph's home carrying 90 rounds of live ammunition in a plastic bag.

Previously, De Bidaph admitted selling ammunition to Caroline, one charge of illegally possessing a firearm, and a further charge of possessing ammunition without the required license.

Before pleading guilty, De Bidaph was due to stand trial this July but that has now been called off..

He was released on bail and will be sentenced on 12 June, with De Bidaph's lawyer to request the sentencing judge takes into account his client's health and military service.

Caroline pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing ammunition without a firearms certificate, and was sentenced to 20 months in prison.

It was ruled that he had served the sentence in custody and on electronic tagging after being arrested in 2012.