A member of the Ulster Defence Association who hoarded an automatic pistol and live ammunition at his home in Scotland has been jailed for five years.
Police also found a handgun, replica firearms and paramilitary clothing at the Fife home of Steven Moffat, a member of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA).
Unemployed Moffat (45), got involved with the organisation as a result of "drink and bravado" and a "romantic notion" of what membership entailed, the High Court in Edinburgh heard.
Judge Lord Macphail said it was impossible for the court to take a lenient view of the "very serious" offences.
Police searched the one-bedroom flat in Erskine Street, Buckhaven, Leven, where Moffat lived alone, on February 10. There they found loyalist flags, a handgun, ammunition, paramilitary clothing, replica guns, and documents relating to initiation procedures to the UDA, most of which were in a holdall in the bedroom wardrobe.
In a boot bag under the mattress, officers discovered a Browning 9mm automatic pistol, in full working order, wrapped in cling film. The court heard the accused had family connections in Northern Ireland.
Last month, Moffat admitted belonging to the UDA, contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000 — an offence which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. He also pleaded guilty to further breaching the Act by possessing a handgun, ammunition, clothing and other paraphernalia, giving rise to a suspicion that they were for the preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.
Moffat also admitted two charges under the Firearms Act, relating to the automatic pistol and two magazines of 9mm fire cartridges.
Moffat was sentenced to five years behind bars for possession of the handgun and other paraphernalia under the Terrorism Act. He was given two years for each of the Firearms Act offences and three-and-a-half years for belonging to the UDA. All sentences will run concurrently.