A DORSET man has been jailed for more than five years after admitting a number of charges of possessing firearms without a licence.

Adam Harris, of St Leonards and St Ives, was sentenced to five years and three months behind bars when he appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court today (January 6).

Following information received by police, the 54-year-old was arrested on Sunday, January 10, 2021, in Cumbria.

Officers conducted a search of storage containers controlled by the defendant on land at Throop Mill, Bournemouth, and seized several firearms, including a Smith & Weston 44 Magnum revolver, two Glock pistols and a Beretta Tomcat-32 pistol.

In total, six rifles were assembled from disassembled parts including a Winchester Savage bolt-action rifle, a Remington Ruger semi-automatic rifle, a Ruger Long semi-automatic rifle and a Nagant bolt-action rifle.

A crossbow, a Cobra stun-gun, further disassembled gun parts and multiple rounds of ammunition were also located. The weapons and ammunition seized are to be forfeited.

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Detective Constable Steven Davis, of BCP CID, said: “We take all incidents involving firearms and prohibited weapons extremely seriously in our continued efforts to keep the people of Dorset safe.

“Thanks to partnership working with Cumbria Police and the detailed investigation conducted by our officers, we were able to arrest and charge Harris as well as find and confiscate a large haul of highly dangerous firearms, weapons and ammunition.

“I would urge anyone with information about individuals who are believed to be in possession of prohibited weapons to please do the right thing and report it to us so we can take robust action against those involved and keep the public safe.”