Man jailed for seven years for possession of gun

By Rafi Mauro-Benady

A gang member has been jailed for seven years for possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

William Watson, 25, of St Oswalds Place, Vauxhall, was jailed at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, December 7, after a loaded handgun was found in his home.

During a surveillance operation, police obtained an out of hours warrant to search his premises.

On Thursday, July 9, at around 9.15pm officers searched the property and found the Makarov in a kitchen cupboard.

Watson was not home during the search.

At around 11.50pm police stopped a car Watson was the passenger in. He was arrested for possessing the gun found at his address.

When arrested, he admitted owning the self-loading pistol.

Detective Constable Mick Grimshaw, from the Specialist Crime Command, said: “Being in possession of a loaded firearm as in this case is unacceptable and it is so important that we continue the fight against illegal firearms on our streets.

“If we had not recovered the weapon and ammunition, the result could have been an innocent member of public paying the ultimate price.

“We will continue to work hard to prevent violent crime to keep the streets of London safe.”