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Gloucestershire Business News

Gloucester man sentenced for firearms offence

A former Polish military chef living in Gloucester has been jailed for five years for possessing a prohibited firearm - a revolver which he claimed he bought for his own protection for £70 from a gypsy at a car boot sale.

Gloucester Crown Court heard on Thursday (August 18) that Grzegorz Jedrych, 43, of Worcester Street, Gloucester, came to the attention of police during an investigation into gun ownership in the county earlier this year.

Prosecutor Alec Daymond said that as part of an intelligence-led investigation police executed a warrant at Jedrych's home June 1, 2022.

The prosecutor said: "As part of the search of Jedrych's property the police found located in the bottom shelf of a storage unit in the bathroom a plastic bag that contained a black case.

"Inside the case a handgun wrapped in plastic along with 16 rounds of ammunition.

"The gun was analysed and was found to be classified as a revolver, with a barrel length of less than 30cm. The ammunition found with it totalled 16 bullets of .22 calibre, suitable for use with the revolver.

"Jedrych told police in his interview that he lived in a dangerous area that was full of onerous people and drug addicts. He claimed that he had the gun for his own protection.

"He told the police about a number of instances that had occurred to him two years earlier over his own personal safety.

"Jedrych explains that he had been out walking his dog when two men threw bottles at him. He said he gave chase and smashed the door to where they lived. He was arrested for this.

"The second occasion, about two weeks later, he had again been out walking his dog when somebody attacked a family, and he became involved and held the man until police arrived.

"Jedrych claims that as a result of these two incidents he had bought the gun from a gypsy at a car boot sale. He told the police he paid £70 for it and claimed it was a cap gun.

"However, it is clear by the way the gun was hidden away that Jedrych knew it was a real revolver because of the ammunition that was found with it.

"Jedrych claimed he had the gun to scare people off. There is no evidence to ever suggest that the gun had been brandished in public or even fired recently."

Lloyd Jenkins, defending, said: "Jedrych admitted his offending at the police station and indicated his guilt at a subsequent magistrates' court hearing.

"Jedrych was before this court in July, but because the full investigation into the revolver's status had not concluded, the case was adjourned until today. This time period also allowed for a pre-sentence report to be carried out.

"The gun's legal status has now been clarified and the revolver is classified as a prohibited firearm which means that Jedrych will be subject to the mandatory minimum term of a five year prison sentence.

"The revolver states that it was made in Poland. Jedrych wasn't charged for possessing the ammunition, which will be an aggravating feature to the overall sentence.

"During an earlier conference with Jedrych, he reiterated to me that he needed the gun for his own protection. But it seemed clear to me that his explanation was futile and I told him he should have taken up martial arts instead of taking possession of the gun."

Judge Ian Lawrie QC said: "The Worcester Street area of this city is not dangerous."

Mr Jenkins agreed and added: "You don't buy a cap gun with 16 rounds of ammunition if you didn't know what the gun really was.

"Jedrych has legally been in the UK for 17 years, having served as a chef in the Polish military. He has always been employed in this country and has no previous convictions for firearms offences.

"Jedrych fully admits that he acquired the revolver and took possession of the firearm."

Jedrych pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited firearm on May 30, 2022, without legal authority.

Judge Lawrie told Jedrych: "You pleaded guilty to possessing the firearm at the earliest opportunity but because of the minimum term provisions, I am unable to reduce or suspend your sentence.

"The sentence I have to pass is a five year prison term. This may seem harsh to some people, despite your mitigation in which you have proved you are not afraid to work, you are in a settled relationship and have order in your life.

"But possessing this firearm and ammunition means that court has no option but to impose the minimum term.

"The reason the law is so strict is because, along with knives, firearms present a significant danger when used incorrectly.

"I'm not convinced in your explanation of how you came into the possession of the firearm and the associated ammunition.

"Firearms are dangerous and are used to commit crime and in unskilled hands, which yours are, would have posed a danger to others and that is why I have to impose the minimum term."

The judge jailed Jedrych for five years and ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the gun and ammunition.

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