Man jailed for trying to smuggle gun

David McGregor's lawyer told the court there was "no rational explanation"

An offshore worker who tried to smuggle a gun into the country because he wanted to be a "naughty boy" has been jailed for five years.

The High Court in Glasgow heard David McGregor, from Leith in Edinburgh, was caught after US law enforcement intercepted a package last year.

It was found to contain what was described as an electrical item with a "good condition" working handgun hidden inside.

The parcel was bound for the 50-year-old's former partner's address in Dundee and the court heard McGregor had previously told her he wanted to get a weapon to "keep her safe" while he was working offshore.

Law officials seized the package on 5 June 2023 before it was sent to Scotland minus the gun.

Prosecutors said his ex-partner was also questioned about the parcel being sent to her home.

She insisted she had no knowledge of a gun actually being ordered but she said McGregor had not wanted to go out one morning because he was "adamant" he had to be at the property to take in a package.

It is understood she told him it was a "stupid thing" and that she "did not need anything like that".

McGregor's phone was also checked and it was found he had searched on the web for 9mm handguns, the cost and how to pay.

He had purchased the Sig Sauer 365XL via the Telegram messaging app.

Jurors heard McGregor had said in texts that "he would probably make further orders in the future" and had asked about the availability of a Walther PDP gun.

Payment for the weapon was made through PayPal.

McGregor pleaded guilty to attempting to acquire and possess the firearm.

He stated: "I admit it. It was nosiness. You know there is nothing in it. I just wanted to be a bit of a naughty boy."

He then went on to claim he had been "ripped off".

Euan Gosney, defending, said the circumstances of McGregor's life at the time were "utterly chaotic" with aspects "unravelling".

Mr Gosney claimed there was "no rational explanation" that could be provided to the court and "it was evident something was going to come to a head at some point".

Judge Lord Scott said he was persuaded that he did not need to go higher than the minimum five-year sentence.