A FARMER failed on four occasions to disclose his history of mental health problems when applying for a firearms licence, an inquest heard.

David Coutts, the firearms licensing manager at North Yorkshire Police, said Glen Brough, who died from a shotgun wound on August 28, 2016, did not disclose his health issues, which included him crashing a car into a bridge in 1999, when he applied for new licences in 2002, 2007, 2009 and 2012.

Mr Brough came to Mr Coutts’ attention in May 2016 when he moved to North Yorkshire and his licence was reviewed, as is the case with all certificate holders when they move into another force’s patch.

He told the inquest into Mr Brough’s death: “There was some minor offending when he was young, but nothing of concern to revoke his certificate and he was granted one.

“On each occasion he ticked a box to say that he was not suffering from any mental health problems and has never done so.

“It is something which would have had a very significant bearing on his certification.”

Mr Brough, 36, handed over the keys to his gun cabinet when two officers visited his home, in North Duffield, near Selby, after a concerned ex-partner had raised the alarm about his wellbeing.

However, the officers said he “seemed quite positive” and was given the keys back the following day. The inquest also heard from Chief Inspector Ed Noble, the line manager responsible for firearms licensing. He said new guidance and training on firearms had been rolled out since the incident after the senior officer found a “lack of confidence” among officers dealing with guns.

The inquest continues.