A 21-year-old who kept a terrifying sawn-off shotgun and live ammunition at his Brent home has been locked up for five years.

Hamza Riaz, of Tadworth Road, Neasden , was arrested on January 17 after Brent’s Gangs Unit and the specialist firearms officers found a double-barrelled shot gun and live ammunition at his home during a planned raid.

The Rizzini double-barrelled shotgun with a shortened sawn-off barrel and five live shotgun cartridges were found hidden in a rucksack at the address.

Brent headlines

Riaz was charged with possession of a firearm and possession of shotgun ammunition and appeared in custody at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on January 18.

Riaz was jailed after a sawn-off shot gun and live ammunition were found at his home

He pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of shotgun ammunition at Harrow Crown Court on February 15.

On February 22, he was sentenced to five years behind bars for possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of live ammunition, at Harrow Crown Court.

Acting Detective Sergeant of Brent’s Gangs Unit, Tom Palmer, said: "The custodial sentence handed down to Riaz should act as a significant deterrent to those involved in all firearm-related crime.

Riaz was sentenced to five years imprisonment at Harrow Crown Court on February 22

"This was an intelligence-led operation secured by the team, targeting criminals who are actively involved in the illegal supply of firearms and drugs.

"The recovery of this weapon and ammunition has no doubt prevented its use on the Capital's streets. We will continue to work with our local partners to disrupt and detect such criminality."

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