Michael Norris Debono, 49, of Tylden Street, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court this week to possessing a controlled weapon, a handgun and ammunition.

Police executed a raid at Debono’s home just before 7am on May 23 as part of an operation. When officers approached the front door, Debono ran into the house yelling: “It’s a raid, it’s a raid, it’s a raid”.

Police found three boxes of ammunition, an imitation handgun and an extendable baton in a holster.

Defence counsel Xavier Farrelly said the imitation gun was a Playstation controller with the electrical wire removed. He said Debono previously worked as a truck driver transporting alcohol loads valued at $100,000 and carried the baton for protection after being harassed.

The solicitor said the ammunition was in a safe in a bedroom and had been used for shooting with his brother, who was licensed.

Magistrate John Lesser said Debono had no similar prior offences and many of his other court appearances were some time ago. However, he said there were strong reasons to keep firearms and ammunition out of communities.