Haroon Rafiq, said to have been living or lodging there, was arrested just before the find and taken to the police station, where he threw water over a nurse and claimed he had loads of guns.

Rafiq was said to have told officers he had been shot five times in Barrowford and had a gun to protect his family and land. A firearms expert later reported the gun had been fired since it had been converted and was later cleaned.

The defendant was initially also accused of threatening to kill a detective sergeant but was cleared of the allegation.

Rafiq (36), of Every Street, Nelson, was convicted of possessing a prohibited firearm - a modified .22 rimfire calibre double barreled over and under Derringer starting pistol with a barrel of less than 30 cms.

He was also found guilty of possessing prohibited ammunition - cartridges with bullets designed to explode on or immediately after impact - and common assault after a trial at Burnley Crown Court. He denied the charges.

Prosecutor Julian Taylor said the offences carried a mimimum term of five years behind bars except in exceptional circumstances. The defendant had a record but no similar offences on it.

Judge Jonathan Gibson remanded the defendant back into custody until March 25th and said a pre-sentence report, with some assessment of Rafiq's behaviour, might be of help.

He told the defendant: "I am required to impose a minimum custodial sentence of at least five years. Expect a lengthy sentence, I am afraid."

Mr Taylor had told the jury on June 29th last year, about 8-45 a.m., police went to a house in Pine Street, Nelson. The defendant was arrested. He was abusive and aggressive after being taken from the address and at the police station. Rafiq was taken to Burnley police station and officers searched the house.

In the front bedroom, they found a small, hand-held pistol in a suit jacket hanging in the wardrobe. There were two rounds in the weapon and a further 10 rounds were discovered in the jacket.

Mr Taylor said Rafiq was cautioned at the police station and taken to a cell.

When he was arrested for firearms offences, he replied: "You lot didn't help me when I was shot five times in Barrowford." The defendant began to swear at officers, pointed to scars on his hands and was abusive. The cell door was shut.

Rafiq was later visited by a custody nurse, a cup of water was handed through his door hatch and he pushed it forcibly, so water went over the nurse.

Mr Taylor said the defendant was taken to the custody office and said to police: "So what if I have got a gun? I have had it for eight or nine years. I have got loads of guns. I will protect my family and my land."