Teen handled weapon for fugitive

10:05am Tuesday 27th February 2007

A TEENAGER has been locked up for possessing a firearm he obtained for a wanted man.

Moshin Syed, of Tuam Road, Plumstead, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm.

He was caught by police during a surveillance operation in Radnor Crescent, Plumstead.

At Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court on February 20, the 17-year-old was sentenced to three years in a young offenders' institution.

The court heard Syed, who has a previous conviction for supplying Class A drugs, was seen by police arriving in Radnor Crescent by taxi on June 12 last year.

He retrieved a black bin liner from a convertible BMW.

Police swooped and found a weapon which had been converted from an eight-inch barrelled air pistol.

Syed claimed to be working for 23-year-old Ben Chambers, of Villas Road, Woolwich, who featured on BBC television show Crimewatch earlier this month.

Sentencing Syed, Judge Duncan Matheson said: "This weapon clearly changed hands as part of a criminal plan.

"A deterrent sentence is necessary to prevent weapons going into circulation."

According to the Crimewatch website, Chambers, who went on the run after skipping bail, is wanted in connection with a serious assault and the possession of firearms.

He is 5ft 10in and has a gold tooth.