Teenager, 17, jailed after handgun and bullets found in car

A teenage boy has been jailed after we took a potentially lethal firearm off the streets following the discovery of a handgun in Stoke-on-Trent.

The boy, aged 17, of Cannock, who cannot be named for legal reasons because of his age, was sentenced to 40-months imprisonment at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Thursday (13 March) after he previously admitted possession of a firearm and possessing ammunition for a firearm without a certificate.

Officers from our city proactive team stopped a Fiat Punto in Weston Coyney, Stoke-on-Trent, on 24 June last year following reports it was being driven erratically.

A further search of the vehicle then uncovered a handgun from a cavity inside the driver’s door and bullets. Officers arrested the boy and found three cars keys in his possession, one of which was to the Fiat.

DNA checks on the gun’s trigger and guard area returned matches for the boy, who was charged with the offences and taken to court.

Detective Sergeant Marc Proctor from our city proactive team, said: “This weapon was capable of killing somebody and has been taken off our streets through some good proactive policing.

“I want local communities to know that we’re working extremely hard every single day to compile intelligence and to act robustly against the gangs and individuals responsible for serious offences like this across Staffordshire.

“More than 1,000 people have been arrested on suspicion of drug and weapon offences since we launched our crackdown in May 2023, and more will follow as we continue to take action.”