Newcastle man jailed after firearm found its way into hands of children
A man has been jailed for five years after police linked him to possession of a live firearm which found its way into the hands of children.
Officers received a report that a group of youngsters aged between nine and 11 had found a firearm while in the Byker area in May 2023. Thankfully, no-one was injured.
As part of an investigation, a search of Ali Abdughari-Abud’s phone found a video from the same month showing at least one firearm lying on a cloth before the camera is turned to his face.
The firearm appeared to be the same weapon found by children playing in the Byker area in the same month.
Following forensic testing, the revolver-style firearm – which contained ammunition at the time the children discovered it – was found to be a viable firearm.
Detectives were able to match it with that of the one seen in the video, with Abdughari-Abud charged with firearms offences.
At Newcastle Crown Court in October last year, the 22-year-old pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition without a certificate, after which he was remanded in custody.
At the same court on Friday, December 20, Abdughari-Abud, of Copland Terrace, Shieldfield, Newcastle, was sentenced to a total of five years in prison.
Detective Sergeant David Wylam, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was an excellent piece of teamwork from our officers which has seen a dangerous offender put behind bars and undoubtedly made the community safer.
“We were able to collate information on Abdughari-Abud and identify the video on his phone as showing the firearm which the children had found in Byker.
“He is now rightly beginning a sentencing in prison for his crimes.”
Detective Sergeant Wylam added: “Firearms have absolutely no place whatsoever in our communities and we hope that this case demonstrates how seriously we tackle such offending.
“It is extremely fortunate that the firearm did not cause any serious damage in the hands of children, considering it contained live ammunition.
“We are pleased that the courts have imposed a custodial term upon Abdughari-Abud for the danger he brought to the community through his actions.”