Man locked up after police found banned firearm at his home

HULL CROWN COURT HEARD HOW THE GUN HAD BEEN CONVERTED TO MAKE IT A 'VIABLE WEAPON'

- By MARK NAYLOR

A WEAPONS collector was found with a potentially "lethal" gun that had been "converted to make it more dangerous" than before - by being able to fire a real bullet and not just blanks.

The police found the firearm in a bedroom at his home after calling in an armed response unit and carrying out a search.

Guns enthusiast David Johnson had been spared prison a few years earlier for trying to obtain banned pistols but he ignored that warning and was caught again, Hull Crown Court heard.

Johnson, 46, of 24th Avenue, north Hull, admitted possessing a prohibited firearm on August 15, 2022. He previously denied the offence but changed his plea to guilty on the day of a scheduled trial.

Maya Hanson, prosecuting, said that a pre-planned operation was launched after Johnson was identified as having bought a blank-firing gun. An armed response unit was sent to his home. Police arrived and Johnson was arrested.

His three-bedroom end-terrace home was searched and a handgun with a holster was found in a front bedroom. They were said to be in a wardrobe next to a window.

"The door had been obstructed by motorbike tyres and clothing," claimed Miss Hanson.

A firearm test was done and it was discovered that the gun had been converted to enable it to fire a bullet. It was capable of causing a "lethal injury" because of this, the court heard.

It had previously been capable of firing only blanks.

"The firearm was converted to make it more dangerous," said Miss Hanson.