Four men have been jailed for a total of 25 years after police stopped a car near Wolverhampton and discovered a loaded gun, swords, and ammunition. The stop occurred on the A449 in Staffordshire on 15 March 2023, when officers from West Midlands Police pulled over a black Volkswagen Golf.
Details of the Stop and Discovery
The vehicle was carrying four occupants: Tyriek Williams, 22, from Wolverhampton; Jermaine Gayle, 21, also from Wolverhampton; Jordan Williams, 22, from Dudley; and a 17-year-old boy from Wolverhampton who cannot be named for legal reasons. During the search, officers found a revolver loaded with five rounds of ammunition, two samurai swords, a lock knife, and a knuckle duster hidden in the car.
All four were arrested and charged with firearms and weapons offences. Tyriek Williams and Jordan Williams were also charged with possession of ammunition without a certificate.
Sentencing at Wolverhampton Crown Court
At Wolverhampton Crown Court on 14 February 2024, the men received the following sentences: Tyriek Williams was jailed for seven years and nine months; Jermaine Gayle for seven years and six months; Jordan Williams for six years; and the 17-year-old for three years and nine months. The total combined sentence amounts to 25 years.
Detective Inspector Leanne Lowe, from West Midlands Police, said: “These men were carrying a deadly arsenal of weapons and ammunition in a car. There is no doubt they intended to use them, and our intervention has undoubtedly prevented serious harm or even loss of life. We are committed to removing dangerous weapons from our streets and bringing those who carry them to justice.”
Impact on Community Safety
The case highlights ongoing efforts by West Midlands Police to tackle gun and knife crime in the region. According to police data, firearms offences in the West Midlands have decreased by 12% in the past year, but incidents involving knives remain a concern. The force has urged the public to report suspicious activity, emphasizing that every weapon seized could save lives.
All four men will serve their sentences in prison, with the 17-year-old to be detained in a young offender institution. The court also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the weapons and ammunition.
