Glasgow man jailed for possessing submachine gun

A man who was caught with a lethal automatic weapon in his car has been jailed for six years.

Police officers discovered the Skorpion submachine pistol, as well as a magazine and silencer, after pulling Steven Wilkinson over.

The 44-year-old was sentenced to six years imprisonment at Glasgow High Court today after earlier pleading guilty to five charges under the Firearms Act 1968.

The court heard that police went to a property in East Kilbride on 24 August on a matter unconnected to Wilkinson.

A car drove away from the property and was traced to Springburn in Glasgow. When officers got there Wilkinson got out the car, appearing agitated.

Asked if there was anything in the car that could hurt officers when they searched it, he replied: “Aye there’s a gun in the front passenger seat.”

Procurator Fiscal for Homicide and Major Crime, Nicky Patrick, said:

“Possession of illegal firearms, particularly of this calibre, is extremely serious but thankfully rare in Scotland.

“Police and prosecutors are working together to do all in our power to prevent these crimes and to bring those who commit them to justice.