Bilston brothers admit possession of replica shotguns and rifles

Replica magazines, protective vests and camouflage shirts were also discovered when police raided the brothers' home addresses.

Gavin Cotterill, Lee Cotterill and Thomas Cotterill had been charged with committing burglary on August 4.

But at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday the prosecution accepted guilty pleas from the trio to a charge of handling stolen goods.

In total, 57 shotguns and rifles, replica magazines, two tool boxes, 17 vests and two camouflage shirts were found.

The items in total were valued at £3,500.

Wolverhampton Magistrates Court had previously heard how the guns fire plastic pellets but look like the real thing.

They were stolen from a garage in Oaklands Green in Stowlawn in August.

Lee Cotterill, 25, of Yale Road, who works as a plasterer, Gavin Cotterill, 28, of Lianna Gardens, who is a scaffolder and 18-year-old Thomas Cotterill, of Oaklands Green, who is unemployed, admitted handling stolen goods between August 3 and 9.

Judge John Wait said: "The matter has been reviewed and the pleas are deemed acceptable."

The defendants were remanded in custody.

They are due to appear for sentencing on November 23. Judge Wait said: "You have pleaded guilty to an alternative charge that has been accepted by the prosecution.

"There need not be a trial for this matter. You will be sentenced on November 23 and until then you will be remanded."

Police in Wolverhampton had appealed for information about the guns after it emerged they were missing.

Superintendent Mark Payne had said the guns – designed to fire plastic pellets – were very advanced replicas and were as close to the genuine article as is possible.

Mr Payne said he was "extremely pleased" that the significant stash of guns had been recovered so they could not be used to commit crime.