A MAN from St Ives has been jailed for five years for possessing a sawn-off shotgun.

Armed police had gone to the home of James Brown in Hurstingstone on October 29 last year to reports he had a firearm at the property.

The gun, which was wrapped in a towel in a holdall, was discovered in his garage along with 60 shotgun cartridges. An improvised hook had been attached to the butt of the gun, which experts believe could have been used to conceal the weapon under clothing.

Brown, 45, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and received a five-year jail term – the minimum sentence for possessing a firearm �– at Huntingdon Crown Court on Friday (May 18).

Detective constable Mark Yendley said: “A sawn-off shotgun is a very dangerous weapon which is capable of causing horrific injury or death.

“Thankfully, the gun was not used to shoot anybody and a serious weapon has now been taken off the streets.

“We will not tolerate the possession of such dangerous weapons and anyone who is caught faces a lengthy time behind bars.”