Crime Solicitors

A court in Manchester has jailed two men who bought firearms online for a total of nearly ten years.

Manchester Evening News reports that Laurence Golesworthy, 26, and Matthew Ashton, 33, were jailed after obtaining a telescopic sight for a rifle, a handmade handgun, a submachine gun type weapon, a self-loading pistol, a ballistic vest and blank ammunition.

Police searched Golesworthy’s home on 5 June, after investigating a prohibited website selling firearms, when it was found Golesworthy had purchased a gun from the site.

At his home, they found a telescopic sight for a rifle, a handmade handgun, a submachine gun type weapon, a self-loading pistol, a ballistic vest and blank ammunition.

The investigation also led police to Ashton, who was found to have purchased a gun from the site.

Ashton was arrested on 24 June, when police officers found cocaine and drugs paraphernalia, as well as two stun guns – including one disguised as a torch – and a CS gas canister at his home.

Ashton was bailed but was arrested on 18 July following a road accident, after which police found a handgun in his holdall.

At Minshull Crown Court, Golesworthy of Castle Street, Hay on Wye, Powys, pleaded guilty to two counts possessing a prohibited weapon. He was jailed for five years.

Ashton of Formby Road, Salford, was found guilty of possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

He pleaded guilty to possession of methylamphetamine and three counts of possession of a prohibited weapon.

Ashton was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison.

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

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