Luton Man Jailed For Firearms Offences

6 November 2013, 11:11 | Updated: 6 November 2013, 11:17

A 19-year-old Luton man has pleaded guilty to firearms offences and was yesterday jailed for his crimes.

Jordan Antoine, aged 19, from Luton appeared at Luton Crown Court on Tuesday 5th November where he admitted to Possessing a firearm of length less than 30cm/60cm - a prohibited weapon - he was sentenced to 4 years 8 months.

He also pleaded guilty to Possessing a firearm when prohibited for five years - he was sentenced to a further two years to run concurrently.

A third count of Possessing ammunition for a firearm received no penalty and was left to 'lie on file'.

Yesterday's conviction is the result of the on-going investigation into gun crime in Luton by Bedfordshire Police, codenamed Operation Boson. So far 80 people have been arrested for gun related crime, 72 warrants have been executed and 14 firearms have been recovered. A further 15 people are also charged with firearms/weapons and other related offences and are awaiting trial.

DCI Dave Quarmby, leading the investigation into gun crime, said: "Seeing this man jailed as well as guns being taken off our streets is good news for Luton and Bedfordshire as a whole. Bedfordshire Police is committed to reducing the threat caused by firearms and continues to make significant progress against this challenging hard core group of criminals. I hope that those who insist on using weapons to further their criminal activity will sit up and think about what it is like to spend the next five years in prison and instead of following in his footsteps come forward and engage with Bedfordshire Police to help us fight crime and protect the public."

£2000 worth of reward money is available from Crimestoppers and Bedfordshire Police for information about gun crime in Luton. A further £10,000 has also been made available from Crimestoppers in relation to the murder of Paul Foster who was shot and killed in April this year.  
Protection measures are available to anyone who wishes to speak to the police but are frightened to do so.

Anyone with information about gun crime can contact detectives on the direct confidential reporting line 01582 394281, or use the 24 hour non-emergency number 101; text force control direct on 07786 200011 or contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.