Two men jailed for possessing an illegal firearm

The two men were sentenced to a total of ten and a half years.

Author: Chris TatePublished 4th Oct 2024

Two men have been jailed after being convicted of possessing a prohibited firearm following a trial at Bristol Crown Court.

Zachariah Young, 26, of Carlyle Road, Easton, Bristol, and Paul Hayden, 21, of Reade Close, Hanham, had both denied the charge, but were found guilty by a jury on Friday 13 September.

Today they begin prison sentences of five and a half years and five years respectively.

When sentencing, the Recorder, Mr Tom Brown KC, said he took into account that Hayden was 18 at the time and the lack of previous convictions. He added that both men will serve half their sentences before being released on licence.

Detective Inspector Jason Chidgey led the investigation and said: “Thankfully gun crime is a rarity in the UK. It’s all the more shocking that two young men were able to get hold of a banned weapon like this. Hayden was 18 and Talbert Young 23 at the time."

“Bristol is a safer place with this weapon and these people off our streets.”