Robert Andrew Dunn, 31, appeared in Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to eight charges, including possessing an unregistered firearm and possessing and using cannabis.

The court heard police searched Dunn’s Mount Clear home in November where they seized several items. Among them was a single barrel sawn-off shotgun, as well as 12-gauge shotgun shells, 139 grams of cannabis found in a variety of spots, and a box of fireworks located in the main bedroom.

Dunn told police he found the gun in the Wombat State Forest, and had fired a couple of shots that day. “Stupid me took it home,” he said.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order with 75 hours of unpaid community work.