Anthony Patterson, 44, from Handsworth, was sentenced after officers from the Major Crime Unit seized the weapon earlier this year.
Anthony Patterson and the seized submachine gun(Image: WMP)
A Birmingham man was jailed for possession of a dangerous live submachine gun and ammunition.
Anthony Patterson, 44, from Handsworth, was sentenced to five years after officers from the Major Crime Unit seized the weapon from an address in Birmingham earlier this year.
Officers found a Thompson submachine gun and 176 rounds of ammunition in a toolbox, with the ammunition stored in a binbag.
READ MORE: Birmingham City Council to take Unite to court over bin truck ‘blocking’
READ MORE: Birmingham bin strike ‘megapicket’ as collections hit by major protest – live updates
READ MORE: Birmingham bin strike latest as solidarity ‘megapicket’ halts waste wagons
READ MORE: ‘Prolific’ Birmingham fly-tipper caught after six month probe
The suspect stole a duffle bag within it containing the jewellery.
The weapon and bullets were examined by experts who confirmed they were live and viable.
Submachine gun police by police(Image: WMP)
Shortly after the warrant took place, Patterson handed himself in and was charged with possession of an automatic firearm and possession of ammunition.
He was sentenced for firearms possession for five years following a hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on July 24.
He was also jailed for two years for the ammunition possession. That sentence is to be served concurrently.
The police teams have been keeping up the pressure on serious and organised crime as part of Operation Target.
Anthony Patterson(Image: WMP)
Op Target is its forcewide campaign of intensive police work targeting groups involved in drugs, firearms and serious/organised crime.
The operation spans the wider West Midlands region, with WMP working alongside other forces and the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) to prevent organised crime and bring offenders to justice.
To find out more about Op Target, go to: Operation Target | West Midlands Police