A MAN has been sentenced for firearms and drugs offences.

Shaun Prince, 53, of Jutland Road, Hartlepool was sentenced to an 18 month suspended for 24 months sentence, given an electronic curfew for three months and a forfeiture and destruction order at Teesside Crown Court on Friday for importing firearms and producing cannabis.

He has been sentenced following an operation with the North East Region Special Operations Unit Disruption Team and the UK Border Agency to tackle the illegal importation of offensive weapons and drugs to the UK.

Cleveland Police attended the address with the intent of speaking to the man who had ordered a disguised firearm, stun device from abroad.

On entering the property officers unexpectedly discovered a reported cannabis farm and a number of additional stun devices.

The street value of the seized cannabis was estimated to be worth between £1120 and £3330.

He was then charged with the following offences: Purchasing a disguised firearm, purchasing a prohibited weapon, possessing a prohibited weapon, possessing a prohibited weapon, purchasing ammunition without a certificate, production of cannabis.

Detective Sergeant Hayley Douglass from the NERSOU Disruption Team, said: “This operation formed part of Operation Sentinel, the regional approach to tackling serious and organised crime alongside our neighbouring police forces and partners.

“The investigation into the actions of Shaun Prince has resulted in dangerous weapons and drugs being taken off the streets of our communities which potentially could have caused serious harm to people.

“The result of this operation is a fantastic example of partner agencies working together to bring people to justice.”