A COVENTRY man is starting a seven year jail term, after admitting keeping a loaded sawn off shotgun under his pillow.
The firearm was discovered, along with live ammunition, when police raided home Billy Young shared with his girlfriend in Earlson on 16 May.
Police began searching the property and quickly uncovered the shotgun concealed underneath a pillow in the couple’s bed – six live shotgun cartridges were found in a bag lain on the floor near to where the gun was found.
Young, aged 20, and his girlfriend were arrested on suspicion of firearms offences. The woman was released without charge but Young admitted that the weapon was his and was charged with possession of a shotgun. He also faced an additional charge of dangerous driving which related to a separate crime where a van was driven at a police officer, responding to a report of a disturbance.
The officer narrowly escaped injury when Young tried to evade arrest on 3 October 2012.
Police had been called to suspicious activity on Common Way and on arrival at the scene Young was seen to flee to a Mercedes van. The first officer on the scene indicated for the driver to stop, but the van was driven at him causing him to jump out of the way.
Young, from Foleshill, pleaded guilty to both charges at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday (10 July) – the day that his trial was due to begin.
Detective constable Jon Rankin, from Force CID in Coventry, investigated the crimes. Following the hearing, he said: “These were two very serious crimes, which is reflected by the length of sentence Young has been given.
“The officer could have been seriously injured, had he not reacted so quickly and the keeping a loaded firearm in bed is not only illegal wholly reckless.
“The gun was loaded, with additional ammunition kept on the floor nearby, and the safety catch was off. The weapon was literally ready to use at any given moment.”
Following the guilty plea being entered, Young was sentenced and handed a seven year prison sentence for possession of a shotgun and a further six months for the dangerous driving offence.
DC Rankin added: “There is no excuse for possessing such a weapon illegally, and keeping it in such a dangerous manner.
“Young stated he purchased the gun for protection – but by keeping it loaded and close at hand suggests he certainly had prepared for it to be used, if necessary.
“We hope that the length of this young man’s sentence sends a clear message to anyone who has possession of an illegal firearm that gun crime won’t be tolerated.
“Anyone involved with handling illegal firearms, irrespective of whether they are used, can expect to spend many years behind bars.
“Armed criminality is mercifully rare in the West Midlands but any illegal firearm has the potential to take a life. Our specialist Gangs Taskforce continues to target organised crime by dismantling and disrupting illegal activities.”