A man was yesterday cleared of being in possession of an unlicensed air rifle which was also missing a serial number.

Joseph Brincat, 45, from Qormi, was accused of being in possession of a Chinese made air gun which lacked a serial number on 2 November 2003.

He was also accused of not paying Lm1.20 in duty and Lm3.18 in VAT as well as not having a licence.

Mr Brincat said his grandfather, who had obtained the gun some 40 years ago, had handed the gun down to him and customs official Frank Tartaglia corroborated this.

The court, presided over by magistrate Giovanni Grixti, said the court had no reason not believe Mr Brincat, especially when a prosecution witness corroborated his version of events.

Magistrate Grixti said the other charges against the accused were time barred and therefore cleared him of all charges brought against him. Police inspector Alexander Miruzzi prosecuted while Dr Jose Herrera and Dr Roberto Montalto appeared for defence.