A FORMER council chairman has been fined for having a silencer and a bullet his fireamrs certificate did not cover.

Peter Balbirnie, 67, of Larkfield Road, Great Bentley, had denied the charges but was convicted after a trial.

Balbirnie was fined £500 on the silencer charge and given a conditional discharge for 12 months on the ammunition matter, which means he will not face futher punishment if he does not reoffend.

He must also pay £3,500 costs.