Man found slumped in stolen car with handgun and knife

John Stuart, 30, was found in a Mercedes-Benz B180 in Lanark on April 4 this year.

Man found slumped in stolen car with handgun and knife iStock

A man is behind bars after he was caught with a gun and a knife in a stolen car.

John Stuart, 30, was found slumped in a Mercedes-Benz B180 in Lanark’s St Teiling, South Lanarkshire, on April 4 this year.

Attempts were made to try and wake him up before police finally managed to rouse him.

Prosecutor Alex Sutherland told the High Court in Glasgow a black handgun was in the vehicle on “open display”.

The weapon was found to be a self-loading pistol, which was said not to be in working order.

Five Luger bullets were inside the gun.

Mr Sutherland said: “Stuart did not hold a firearms certificate.”

It was also discovered the Mercedes had false number plates.

The advocate depute added: “It had been stolen from Drymen Road in Bearsden (in East Dunbartonshire).”

On Monday, Stuart pled guilty to a number of charges including possessing the pistol and ammunition as well as reset of the car.

Lord Mulholland told him: “I need to get background reports on you. You will be remanded in custody.”

Stuart will be sentenced next month.