A FATHER-of-two who looked after a sawn off shotgun for a well known criminal has paid the price with a nine month jail term.

Burnley Crown Court heard how self employed maintenance fitter Stephen Webster, 28, thought he was just minding two imitation firearms when he was handed a sealed black bag by Brett Doogan.

Webster, hailed a hero when he rescued a neighbour from a house blaze two years ago, sobbed in the dock as a judge told him the only sentence was prison.

Recorder Anthony McLoughlin told the defendant it had to be made clear to the public such offences were serious because of the "untold" damage which could be caused.

He added it was often the case that somebody who had no previous convictions and was not prone to committing crime was used to store such weapons by those more criminally minded. The defendant, of Wycollar Avenue, Burnley, admitted possessing a prohibited weapon in February. He was of previous good character.

Jacob Dyer, prosecuting, said officers searched the defendant's home and in a lock-up area at the side of the property they found the gun wrapped up in cloth behind a lawn mower. A blank firing pistol was also discovered.

The barrel of the shotgun had been shortened to five inches and the gun was capable of being fired.

Webster was arrested and told police Mr Doogan had asked him to keep the guns locked away because he had young children at home.

Mr Dyer said the Crown could not dispute the fact the defendant was holding the shotgun for somebody else. No ammunition was found for the weapon.

Philip Holden, defending, said the case featured exceptional circumstances. A firearms expert said the shotgun was rusty, must have been stored in less than perfect conditions and the bolt was a little stiff. While the shotgun was capable of being fired, it was in poor condition.

Two years ago Webster made local newspaper headlines after rescuing a neighbour from a house fire. Mr Doogan knew the defendant just to say hello to, but after that the two became friends.

Mr Doogan was a man with a "considerable criminal history," but Webster was not aware of that. When Mr Doogan came round and asked him to look after something he agreed.