A WORDSLEY "gun fanatic" ignored a ban on keeping weapons and built up an arsenal of deadly firearms.

David Evans, aged 42, had been barred from keeping or being involved with guns after being convicted in 2005 of possessing an automatic weapon.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard Evans amassed a collection of ten guns including a Kalashnikov rifle and hundreds of rounds of live ammunition.

Philip Bradley, prosecuting, alleged Evans kept the collection at the fruit and vegetable business he ran from a barn at Hinksford Park, Swindon, near Wolverhampton.

Evans, of Lawnswood Road, has denied 27 charges of possessing or transferring prohibited weapons to brothers Daniel and Lee Thatcher who both live in the Stourbridge area.

Mr Bradley told the jury that five guns were found by police at Daniel Thatcher's home including a 9mm Uzi and a 9mm pistol while a further five weapons were recovered from his brother's garage.

He alleged Evans had continued to buy and make guns despite his banning order and he had passed on an arsenal of weapons to Daniel Thatcher towards the end of 2009.

The collection of guns was found when the brothers were arrested for trespassing in a derelict office block in Dudley and police officers searched the homes.

The trail lead back to Evans who was arrested by the officers in June last year, said Mr Bradley who told the trial the Thatcher brothers were later convicted on firearms offences and sentenced by a judge.

The trial of Evans is continuing.