A teenage boy has been sentenced to three years in a young offender's institution after he was found with a loaded 9mm handgun, ammunition, and £1,290 in cash in Birmingham. The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was spotted running from the passenger seat of a parked car just after 10pm on Monday, June 1.
Details of the Incident
During a chase with armed police, the teenager threw a 'manbag' containing the firearm, ammunition, and cash. He later pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition without a certificate. At Birmingham Crown Court, Judge Smith KC warned him of the grave risks of gun crime.
Judge's Sentencing Remarks
Judge Smith KC told the boy: "No one was caused alarm or distress by you having the gun, but you must realise there is a more than minimal risk of death or serious harm from having a loaded gun out on the streets of Birmingham." The court heard that the boy claimed he was "told to hold the gun by an older male in the car, and that he had no intention of using the firearm."
Evidence and Rejection of Claims
Police examinations identified one of the boy's fingerprints on the trigger of the gun. Judge Smith KC rejected his version of events, accepting the prosecution's case that he had "greater contact with the firearm and was reckless as to whether it was to be used for further criminality." The judge added: "He was not told or forced to take the bag from the car, he didn't have to throw the bag away when being chased by police - but he chose to do so. There was no good reason to run at all other than the desire to avoid arrest. I am sure he had long term possession of the firearm and I will sentence him accordingly."
Previous Convictions and Sentence
The judge took into account the boy's 'progress' while at the young offender's institute and his previous convictions for robbery and having a knife. He sentenced him to three years, saying: "I have decided that you were reckless as to whether the loaded gun could be used for criminal purposes. The offence is made more serious by your previous convictions for robbery and having a knife. Given that you are still only 17, I have placed emphasis on the need to prevent you committing further offences. I accept that you are sorry for what you did."
