Men facing jail after officers threatened with a gun
The incident happened in Marston Green In February
Two men are facing jail terms after officers were threatened with a gun when they approached a car in Marston Green.
Andrew Beckett and Antony Briscoe were travelling with the handgun shortly after they're understood to have been involved in disorder.
Officers had responded to reports of fighting - where weapons were reported to have been brandished - in Station Road at just 12.10am on 19 February.
The disorder had dispersed when officers arrived but during their enquiries in and around the area they spotted a suspicious vehicle nearby less than half-an-hour later.
The black Mercedes was in the middle of the road on The Radleys with no lights on. A call about the initial trouble had referred to a vehicle, matching its description, and when two officers approached the car they found Beckett and Briscoe inside.
Briscoe got out the vehicle but then encouraged Beckett to start the engine. Beckett then pulled out a handgun and threatened police who retreated and the car made off.
However, they were able to quickly alert colleagues and the vehicle was swiftly traced in Cockshut Hill around a mile-and-a-half away.
It had been abandoned but following a search of the area police recovered a handgun - which was later confirmed as being a viable firearm - in a bush and also ammunition.
Following a quicktime review of CCTV - alongside other enquiries - police established Beckett and Briscoe as the pair from the Mercedes.
Officers were able to trace them to visiting Beckett's home shortly between the disorder and then when the car was spotted in The Radleys.
Briscoe was arrested from his home the following day while police stopped a van carrying Beckett two days later.
Beckett, aged 37 of The Radleys, Smiths Wood, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and possession of ammunition without a certificate.
Briscoe, 37, of Shirestone Road, Birmingham, was convicted of possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of ammunition without a certificate following a trial which concluded at Birmingham Crown Court last Thursday (19 September). He was found not guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
They are both remanded into custody ahead of sentencing on a date to be confirmed.
DC Baron Briscoe, who led the investigation, said: "This was a viable firearm which could have caused serious or even deadly harm.
"This was one of the most terrifying moments these officers will likely ever face, but they kept calm in an extremely distressing scenario.
"I fully believe that serious harm could’ve been caused to members of the public on that evening. This was prevented by the diligent actions of the officers stopping the vehicle.”
Our officers are on the frontline 24/7, every day of the year, to protect the public and catch criminals.
This can involve having to put themselves in dangerous situations, and is something they're prepared to do to keep you safe.
We're running Operation Target in a defiant stand against serious crime and to take weapons off the streets.