Police found a self-loading pistol with nine cartridges in a bag also containing the drug Ecstasy when they stopped a car being driven by an ex-convict in Sunderland.

Paul Walker admitted possessing a prohibited firearm, possessing a firearm when prohibited, having recently served a prison sentence of three years and nine months, possession of a class A drug, plus driving while disqualified and without insurance, when he came before Durham Crown Court yesterday.

Sentence was adjourned for preparation of reports by the probation service and Walker, 38, was bailed to an address in Mill Green Close, Leeds, to return for sentence on July 26.