Justin James Wishart, 30, appeared in Albury Local Court yesterday for sentencing on charges of possessing ammunition without holding a licence, possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit and failing to ensure the safe keeping of a prohibited weapon.

Magistrate Tony Murray was told police found 10 .40 calibre Glock rounds on a shelf in Wishart’s bedroom when they searched his home about 7am on December 16 last year.

Wishart does not hold a NSW firearm’s licence.

A body armour vest was not in a safe but lying on the floor.

As it is a prohibited article under the Weapons Prohibition Act, all police are required to store and maintain such items, according to policy and procedure.

In early 2012, Wishart was counselled and given advice about the storage of appointments.

He was also given advice about not taking ammunition home because he did not have a firearm’s licence.

Wishart was charged on January 28.

Solicitor Mark Cronin said Wishart had been a police officer for four years and had committed no previous offences but was now suspended.

Mr Cronin said Wishart was involved in a work accident in February last year and has been off work with a back injury.

He has received a notice asking why he should not be dismissed from the force.

Mr Cronin said officers took home the body armour sleeves to wash, but the protective portions of the vest were supposed to be left at the station.

“These things are worn day in and day out —they need to be washed,” Mr Cronin said.

“He neglected to take out the protective inserts.

“There was no weapon at the premises from which the ammunition could be fired.”

Mr Cronin said Wishart was entitled to wear a vest and the charges fell to the absolute bottom of the scale.

He said Wishart should be put on bonds without conviction.

But Mr Murray described the charges regarding the vest as being serious.

He said while references tendered on behalf of Wishart spoke about him in glowing terms, there was a reasonable possibility he would lose his position as a police officer.

Mr Murray convicted him on the three charges and imposed fines totalling $1000.