Leeds man caught with loaded AK-47 jailed for five years
West Yorkshire Police say its 'extremely rare' for assault rifles to be seized in the UK
A Leeds man is starting a five year prison sentence after being caught by police with a loaded AK-47.
27 year old Kane Clarke was arrested following a search on his home in Kelsall Road, Hyde Park, last November 20.
Officers located the Soviet military rifle, along with 30 rounds of ammunition, in a cellar.
Clarke admitted to possession of a prohibited automatic weapon and possession of ammunition at Leeds Crown Court on December 19.
Today he was handed a prison sentence.
Detective Inspector John Graham, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “This is a military grade weapon designed for the battlefield and is something that can have only one deadly purpose in the hands of criminals.
“It is extremely rare for firearms of this type to be found in circulation and thankfully this one has now been taken off the streets.
“We hope the significant prison term that he has received will provide some reassurance to the community and remind those who involve themselves in this type of crime of the penalties they can expect.”