A man was jailed at Huntingdon Crown Court on Thursday, December 8, after being found in possession of a viable firearm in Hemel Hempstead.
Israel Campbell, aged 35, was sentenced to six years imprisonment having pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate at an earlier hearing on Wednesday, November 30.
The incident took place just before 10am on Friday, September 30 when officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit identified a BMW 520D with cloned number plates travelling through Hemel Hempstead.
Police followed the vehicle, which eventually parked at Royal Court. Officers blocked the vehicle in and approached the driver’s side where the sole occupant, Israel Campbell of Broadway Apartments, Bedford, opened the door and stepped out of the car.
As an officer spoke to him, Campbell pushed past and made off on foot.
He was pursued on foot by Road Policing PC Flint and as he ran towards St Albans Hill, another police unit arrived to help detain him.
During a search, PC Flint removed a bag from Campbell’s waist. Inside the bag was a viable firearm, a balaclava and a pair of gloves.
He was arrested and subsequently charged.
Detective Constable Maisie Ashwood, who was investigating, said: “I would like to express my gratitude to PC Flint, who acted swiftly and bravely to detain Mr Campbell. I hope this sentence provides reassurance to the community in Hemel Hempstead.
“I would also like to remind our residents that Hertfordshire has a zero tolerance for gun crime and we will do everything we can to keep them off our streets. If you suspect anything suspicious, please contact 999.”
Photo Credit: Michael Trolove
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