Registered Firearms Dealer allegedly converted lawfully held weapons for criminal use

19 Jan 2017 03:08 PM

A 67-year-old man has been charged with a number of offences relating to the criminal use of firearms, following an investigation led by the National Crime Agency.

John Spencer Booth, from Ashbourne, Derbyshire was arrested on Monday 16 January in Birmingham by officers from the NCA’s Armed Operations Unit.

Officers stopped the vehicle he was driving and recovered 10 sawn-off shotguns and over 200 rounds of ammunition. Further searches were supported by Derbyshire Constabulary and enquiries are on-going.

Booth was charged with seven offences including possessing prohibited weapons, possessing ammunition for sale/ transfer and selling and/or transferring prohibited weapons and ammunition. 

He appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court this morning and remanded in custody. He will next appear at Birmingham Crown Court on the 15 February 2017.

John Coles, Head of Specialist Operations at the NCA said:

“Tackling the criminal use of firearms has never been a higher priority for the NCA. We know firearms enter the criminal market through a variety of different means and we will continue to work with our partners, across the UK and overseas, to protect the public from the harm illegal firearms can cause”.

Anyone who has any information about illegally held guns or ammunition should contact their local police, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.