A teenager who was caught trying to smuggle a deadly gun into Scotland was today ordered to be detained for 20 months.
A judge told Ryan Bonner, 19, that he was satisfied that there was no appropriate alternative to the imposition of a custodial sentence in his case.
Lord Armstrong said at the High Court in Edinburgh that he took into account Bonner's age, his limited criminal record and that he had no intention to discharge the weapon.
Bonner was snared after US law enforcement authorities intercepted a parcel addressed to chef Jonathan Paxton in November 2019.
A Glock-19 pistol was intercepted but a replacement "placebo package" was forwarded instead which Bonner collected.
A secret recording device was also placed inside and a prosecutor earlier told the court: "He can be heard making reference to hiding guns."
Advocate depute Blair Speed said: "When speaking to another he said: 'I am telling you - once I get it out the box, I'll put it in a bag."
" 'Once I know there is no tracking devices in the box, tomorrow, we will move it somewhere'," he said.
When police detained Bonner at his home in Inverkip, in Renfrewshire, he denied any knowledge of firearms.
He claimed that he had gone to pick up what he assumed was a car part and had been told to keep it for someone, who was to collect it later.
The recovered Glock semi-automatic firearm was in good condition and fully operational, the court heard.
The home of Paxton in Largs, in Ayrshire, was also searched. Police went on to find 343 ecstasy tablets worth up to pounds 3430 on the streets.
Paxton said he only agreed to something being sent to him when he was very drunk and chatting to Bonner.
Bonner, of Nursery Gardens, Inverkip, earlier admitted attempting to have in his possession a prohibited weapon on December 3 in 2019 and his co-accused Paxton, of Royal Avenue, Largs, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of ecstasy on the same date.
First offender Paxton was sentenced to 20 months detention for the drugs offence.
Defence counsel Victoria Young, for Paxton, said: "He frankly acknowledges that it is his problematic drug use that has led him to the situation he now finds himself in."
Louise Arrol, for Bonner, said that he was young and without significant previous offending.
