A DAD was caught with a sub-machine gun after police were called to a bust-up with his partner, a court heard.

Darren McInally arrested after he attacked his on-off lover Hazel King at her cottage in Uplawmoor, Renfrewshire last November.

Police later searched his Audi car - and made the shock discovery of a deadly loaded firearm stashed in the boot.

McInally now faces a minimum five years in jail after he pled guilty to a charge of possessing the machine gun and ammunition.

The 28 year-old will be sentenced next month.

McInally had turned up at Miss King's home in Old Barn Road, Uplawmoor last November 27.

Prosecutor Angela Gray said McInally immediately started yelling abuse at the 22 year-old mum and branding her unfaithful.

Miss King soon broke down in tears and asked him to leave. But, McInally swore and refused to leave.

He eventually grabbed Miss King and threw her onto a sofa. McInally also brandished a bottle at her leaving the mum fearing she was going to be hit.

Vile McInally then spat in Miss King's face before trying to flee in his car.

Miss King had earlier snatched his keys, but raging McInally got them back and drove off.

Police were called and McInally was traced to his dad's home in Neilston, Renfrewshire.

The High Court in Glasgow heard officers later searched his Audi car.

Prosecutor Miss Gray said police then found a loaded Scorpion sub-machine within a holster in the boot of the vehicle.

McInally's DNA was later found on the weapon and the ammunition.

McInally pled guilty in court to two charges under the Firearms Act and also admitted to assaulting Miss King.

He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on April 8 at the High Court in Edinburgh.