Firearms felon handed jail term
A man has been sentenced to more than four years in jail after pleading guilty to firearms offences.
At Southwark Crown Court on Monday, Mekaeel Bailey, 34, of Porchester Road, Paddington, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years for attempted conversion of an imitation firearm and eight months for possession of a loaded imitation firearm in a public place.
The sentences are to be served consecutively.
Bailey pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of ammunition and one count of possession of articles to convert firearms. He received no further sanction for these offences.
On Tuesday, March 15, officers from the Met’s Specialist Crime command carried out a proactive operation and stopped Bailey on Porchester Road at around 1.30am.
He was searched under the Firearms Act and found in possession of a Bruni 96 imitation firearm that showed signs of an attempted conversion into an active weapon. It was also found to contain two live rounds of ammunition.
Following his arrest, police conducted a search of Bailey’s home address and discovered it was being used to convert firearms.
A number of specialist tools were located, along with 80 rounds of ammunition, 47 of which were live, propellant powder for ammunition and parts of firearms.
On Saturday, March 16, Bailey was charged and remanded.
Detective Sergeant Nick Perry, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “This operation resulted in us recovering a firearm and a significant amount of ammunition, as well as bringing an end to Bailey’s attempts to convert a firearm destined for the streets of London.
“We are committed to identifying those who are intent on carrying or converting weapons and these proactive operations play a significant role in keeping our city safe.
“The public have a huge part to play when it comes to preventing crime and protecting London’s communities. You can give information about crime that has been committed or potentially save a life, by providing information about someone involved in violence, criminal gangs or who may be carrying a weapon.”
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