Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Wednesday, 22nd January 2025, at 17:45hrs
The loaded assault rifle was capable of firing 600 rounds per minute
A man caught with a loaded AK-47 assault rifle at his home in Leeds has been jailed for five years.
Officers found the deadly automatic weapon along with 30 rounds of live ammunition hidden in the cellar of Kane Clarke’s home in Kelsall Road, Hyde Park, when they searched the address on November 20 last year following his arrest on suspicion of unrelated offences.
The AK-47 is a military assault rifle, originally developed in the Soviet Union, and is capable of firing fully automatic at a rate of 600 rounds per minute and has an effective range of 350 metres.
Clarke, aged 27, gave no replies when interviewed about the weapon and was charged with possession of a prohibited automatic weapon and possession of 30 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition.
He pleaded guilty to both offences when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court on December 19. His basis of plea was that he was holding the weapon for others who he was not prepared to give details about.
Today he was sentenced to five years imprisonment.
The offences were investigated by specialist detectives from Leeds District Leeds District Programme Precision Team, which targets serious and organised crime.
Detective Inspector John Graham, who heads the team, said:
“This is a military grade weapon designed for the battlefield and is something that can have only one deadly purpose in the hands of criminals.
“It is extremely rare for firearms of this type to be found in circulation and thankfully this one has now been taken off the streets.
“We hope the significant prison term that he has received will provide some reassurance to the community and remind those who involve themselves in this type of crime of the penalties they can expect.”
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