Browse Sections

• Education
• Business
• Blog
• Special reports

Three sentenced for owning guns

2/ 5/2008

THREE people arrested for owning guns have been jailed for total of 19 years.

Jahanger Majid, aged 29 of Valley Mill Lane, Bury, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition and was jailed for five years today at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

Twenty-eight-year-old Michael Pearson of Roedean Gardens, Flixton, pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing a firearm, possessing ammunition and possessing cannabis. He was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment earlier this week.

Mazhar Mohammed, aged 24 of Albion Street, Old Trafford, pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing a firearm and possessing ammunition and was also jailed for seven years.

All three defendants were arrested on 30 January during raids to crack down on gun crime.

Operation Werewolf involved more than 300 officers. Several addresses, mainly in Trafford, were raided.

It was an intelligence-led operation aimed at targeting members of an organised crime group involved in the possession, use and supply of firearms and ammunition, as well as drugs.

The guns seized, which were shown to the court, were real and ready to use. Majid and Mohammed had links with gangs.

Speaking after the court case Detective Superintendent Darren Shenton from GMP's Xcalibre Task Force said: "The impact of the operation cannot be under estimated as the circulation of such weapons, has without doubt, fuelled the recent acts of extreme criminality including two murders.

"Greater Manchester Police continues to actively target such criminality. It undermines public confidence and breaks down the fabric of society, affecting decent law abiding citizens.

"Throughout Operation Werewolf and since the day of action in January the vast majority of people living in Trafford have worked closely with police, assisting in reducing criminal activity and providing valuable support.

"The sentences passed today give a clear indication that this sort of criminality will be dealt with severely, reflecting both the views of the judicial system and together with that of the police and the community they serve."