Man jailed after firearm found during police raid

A man has been jailed for five years after officers located a loaded revolver while executing a search warrant in Luton.

Terelle Ashton, 24, of Long Mead, Houghton Regis, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court today (Friday), after pleading guilty to firearms offences.

In August, Bedfordshire Police’s specialist guns and gangs unit, Boson, attended a flat in the Leagrave area of Luton, to execute a warrant as part of an unrelated investigation.

Upon arrival, officers detained Ashton, as well as two men and a woman, and a search of the property was conducted.

During the search, a firearm was located in a black bag.

The weapon was later found to be a viable revolver containing six rounds of live ammunition. 

Detective Constable Burger Swanepoel, leading the investigation, said: “Thankfully, firearms related incidents remain an isolated issue here in Bedfordshire and every effort must and will be made to maintain that.

“Our specialist teams are regularly carrying out intelligence led operations to apprehend those involved in serious violence. Since June we’ve made over 100 arrests and seized 26 lethal weapons including 5 firearms.

“We urge the public to continue telling us what they know about crime in their area. Through your reports, we can ensure people like Ashton are rooted out of our community.”

Report what you know via Bedfordshire police’s website or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Find out more about our Boson team.

Help and support for young people around gangs and serious youth violence is available on the Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit’s website.