Man jailed for weapons offences after police chase

A man who threw a gun onto a roof during a police pursuit has been jailed.

Awais Naveed threw the bag, which contained a converted top-vented blank firing pistol and two rounds of live ammunition, while being chased on foot on 1 August in Sheffield, South Yorkshire Police said.

Naveed, who was eventually detained and found to also have a knife, was charged with possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate, and possession of a knife in a public place.

The 22-year-old, of Midhill Crescent in Sheffield, pleaded guilty to all charges and was jailed for five years at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday.

His weapons and ammunition were destroyed, police said, and Naveed was ordered to pay £228 in victim surcharge costs.

Lois Bright, the officer in charge of the case, said: "The firearm carried by Naveed was one of the now illegal blank firing pistols, dozens of which were handed over in a month-long amnesty in February.

"I am relieved that Naveed's weapons have been destroyed and that he is safely behind bars where he cannot pose a risk to the public."

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