The man will appear in court after the discovery
A suspect was named after a gun was found on grass. Merseyside Police were called to Lansdowne Road in Birkenhead on Saturday, October 5, following a report a loaded self-loading pistol had been found on open land off the road.
The weapon was made safe and forensically recovered. As part of an investigation, Craig Reilly, 34, from Deakin Street, Birkenhead, has now been charged with possession of a firearm without a certificate; and possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate.
Reilly will appear at Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday, January 16. Detective Chief Inspector Lynsay Armbruster leads Merseyside Police’s Firearms Investigation Team (FIT), and said: “This recovery removed a viable loaded firearm from the community, and has resulted in a thorough investigation by detectives.
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“The potential consequences of such weapons being in circulation are devastating, and each recovery makes those who live in areas affected by serious and organised crime safer. Community intelligence can be vital in finding weapons, so I’d continue to urge anyone with information on firearms being stored, carried or used to come forward and we will keep taking positive action.”
If you have any information about the use or storage of weapons DM @MerPolCC or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.
