A convicted robber who kept an AK47, a handgun and ammunition at his girlfriend's Birmingham home has been jailed for two years.

Police also found a rubber face mask and body armour when they searched the address in Aston in December, Birmingham Crown Court was told.

Garvey Barnes (25), of Potfield Grove, Lyndhurst Estate, Erdington, had previously admitted two charges of possessing an imitation firearm with intent and cultivating cannabis.

Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC said the firearm offences were particularly serious but added: "I am not satisfied they were the paraphernalia of a criminal lifestyle."

He also said he accepted the weapons had been purchased legally, had never been used and the charges Barnes admitted were at the "lower end" of these kind of offences.

The court heard Barnes previously served a five-year sentence after a robbery in which handguns were used and a blank fired.

Graham Henson, prosecuting, said on December 22 police searched his home where they found cannabis plants and an invoice for an AK47 assault rifle.

Officers also found keys to an Aston address, his girl-friend's home.

When they searched it, they opened a cupboard in a front porch where they recovered a gunbag with an AK47 Kalashnikov, and two gun magazines, one containing a round.

Also found was a Colt 45 automatic with seven rounds of ammunition along with the mask and armour.

Mr Henson said the findings were particularly "significant" in light of Barnes' previous conviction.

When interviewed Barnes claimed a man called Tommo left the deactivated firearms at the address a year earlier.

Rob Cowley, defending, said Barnes had done his best to put his life in order after his previous conviction and started a business.

He said he had already served a significant time in custody on remand and that in 13 days' time he was eligible for release under the early tagging system.