A CHARGE of possessing a lead pellet was dropped after the defendant explained how he used them as weights for trains in his model railway.

Danny Little, 32, pleaded guilty to being in possession of a lead pellet which could be used as ammunition in an air weapon in Standish on Thursday, November 12.

Little, of Albany, Stonehouse, was banned from possessing any sort of ammunition following a four year term in Gloucester prison.

However, Little, who represented himself in Stroud Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, December 8, explained how he used the pellets to add weight to trains on his model railway to help keep them on the track.

He said his interest in model railways had helped him stay out of trouble.

"I used to be on heroin and crack but for four years I have kept out of crime all because of my model railway," he said.

"It is my life now and I feel like I am being punished for it."

Magistrates disregarded his guilty plea after quizzing him on his hobby.

Prosecutor Teresa Perry then revoked the charge, a move she described as ‘highly unusual’.