32-year-old man from Cannock jailed for firearm offence

A 32-year-old man from Cannock has been jailed after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition without a certificate.

Benjamin John Kidd, of Birches Avenue, Cannock, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on Thursday (14 October) at Stafford Crown Court.

On 20th May 2021, Officers acted on intelligence and issued a search warrant for an address in Lichfield.

Whilst searching the property, officers located a tarantula tank and uncovered a white plastic bag within. Inside was a blue cloth which housed a concealed hand-gun with live ammunition.

The firearm was made safe by Police and sent to forensics for DNA sampling, where they found traces of Kidd on the grip, guard, cloth, trigger and chamber release. His fingerprints were also uncovered on the white plastic bag.

Forensic tests on the ammunition determined that bullets had been previously fired and modified for reuse.

Detective Constable Gareth Morris, of Staffordshire Police said: ‘I am pleased at this custodial sentence. Staffordshire Police work hard to keep the community safe from harm and unlawful possession of firearms will never be tolerated.

"This firearm and ammunition are now of out of criminal circulation and the public protected from further harm. I would encourage anyone who has information about the possession of illegal weapons to contact Police on 999."