A dangerous Hayes man has been jailed for five years for possessing a handgun and pepper spray.
Kevin Anthony Carter, 43, was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court after being found in possession of the illegal weapons when he ran from police officers.
Carter, of Yeading Lane, Hayes, came to the attention of police officers at 1am on October 23 when his VW Golf sped past them with its numberplate blacked out.
The vehicle was discovered dumped in Adelphi Crescent, Hayes, and police from Ealing assisted Hillingdon officers in the search for the driver.
When Carter, dressed all in black, was found with his passenger, a 17-year-old youth, in Lansbury Drive, Hayes, he attempted to hide a balaclava down his trousers, and then was discovered to be hiding a can of pepper spray.
The court heard how police only discovered Carter had a Brocock handgun in his sock when back at the station, although fortunately he had been secured in handcuffs.
Police officers believe they caught him just before he was about to injure or intimidate someone.
DS Steve Murphy said: "He was clearly up to no good on that evening, although to this day we don't know what. We think he was on his way to confront somebody."
Carter appeared the next day at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court, before pleading guilty and being sentenced at Harrow Crown Court.
DS Murphy added: "He has been removed from the streets and it is a clear show of strength by judges that this behaviour won't be tolerated and he has been sentenced accordingly. Five years shows quite a strong message."
"The police are out there removing these guys from the street. You just never know what people are going to have on them these days, fortunately no-one was hurt."
Carter pleaded guilty and will serve a five year sentence for possession of the handgun and a two year concurrent sentence for possession of pepper spray.
