Coventry man had handgun in backpack while on way to work

[dutchman]

He was arrested in a National Crime Agency operation



A construction worker has been jailed for five years after being caught carrying a gun in his backpack while on his way to work.

Richard Hamper had converted the originally blank-firing handgun to fire live rounds and when police searched his home in the city they found three more weapons, ammunition and cannabis.

The 32-year-old, from Tile Hill, was one of 30 people arrested earlier this year as part of a National Crime Agency (NCA) co-ordinated operation involving police forces and Regional Organised Crime Units.

Operations across the country resulted in the seizure of over 100 firearms, as well as tasers, class A drugs and approximately £25,000 cash.

After buying the firearm online when it was blank firing, NCA investigators found Hamper converted the gun to be live.

He was stopped by armed officers from the NCA and West Midlands Police while walking to work on July 18, 2019.

A search of his home and an associated address revealed a further three air weapons, ammunition and approximately 500g of cannabis.

Hamper, who pleaded guilty to possession of a Section 5 firearm and class B drugs, was sentenced today (November 7) at Birmingham Crown Court.