Man jailed for transferring sawn-off shotgun

A man from Gloucester has been jailed for nine years for transferring a sawn-off shotgun.

Santino ‘Sonny’ Lanciano, 26, was found guilty on 14 June of transferring a sawn-off shotgun following a three day trial at Salisbury Crown Court.

Kieran Robinson, 19, and Stephen Gilby, 26, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess a sawn-off shotgun and possession of cannabis.

The convictions of the men followed a detailed investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary Serious & Organised Crime Unit which involved surveillance officers and painstaking detective work.

At Winchester Crown Court on Monday 14 August his Honour Judge Parkes sentenced Lanciano from Bathurst Road, Gloucester, to nine years custodial sentence for the offence.

Lanciano also admitted to being in possession of cocaine and cannabis.

Robinson from Ince Castle Way, Gloucester, and Gilby from Salisbury Road, Gloucester will be sentenced at a later date.

A fourth man, Anthony Smith, 47 and of Regent Street, was found not guilty of conspiring to possess a sawn-off shotgun following the trial.

On 13 July last year armed police stopped a silver Citroen vehicle in Regent Street, Gloucester, after observations from undercover officers showed the occupants were seen to attend the area of Lanciano’s home address.

A sawn-off shotgun was discovered in the rear of the car and Gilby was arrested. Both Robinson and Lanciano were arrested later the same day at their home addresses.

Case officer Detective Constable Col Sheppard said: “This is a case that presented a very real risk to the public. We don’t know the intentions of these men or why they had the weapon, only that there is no legitimate purpose for having such a dangerous article. The potential harm that could have been caused goes without saying.

“This should serve as a lesson to anyone thinking of becoming involved in this type of criminality. You will be targeted, you will be convicted and you can expect lengthy prison sentences. The fact that these criminals are now off the streets is thanks to the dedication and hard work of Gloucestershire officers.

“I would encourage anyone who may have concerns about someone they know to be involved in this or any other type of criminal activities to contact police on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk