Jail for man caught with sub machine gun boot of his car

Humanyun Ashraf

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A man caught with a sub machine gun in the boot of his car has been jailed.

Humanyun Ashraf, 31, of Marigold Street, Rochdale admitted possessing a firearm and driving while disqualified.

At Manchester Crown Court today  he was sentenced to five years and six months in prison.

Shortly before 11.40pm on Saturday 6 August 2011, as part of an intelligence-led operation, officers from GMP's Tactical Firearms Unit conducted a strike on an Audi A3, which was parked up on Starmoor Drive, Cheetham Hill.

Ashraf, who was disqualified from driving, was behind the wheel.

He was arrested and a search of the car resulted in the recovery of a Vigneron 9mm sub machine gun from the boot.

Ashraf claimed to have been given the weapon by another man a few hours earlier and told officers he thought it was an imitation firearm.

Detective Inspector Chris Mossop, of the Xcalibre Organised Crime Unit, said: "Ashraf claims he thought the weapon was a fake, yet handled it with gloves, suggesting to me he is forensically aware and knew exactly what he was handling.

"GMP is committed to ridding the streets of guns and our officers at the Xcalibre Organised Crime Unit work around the clock on proactive operations to target those involved in the sale and supply of firearms.

"Every gun seized represents a great result for us, but more importantly the public of Greater Manchester, and is one less weapon available to the criminal fraternity."