Two Sheffield men jailed for possession of firearms

Two Sheffield men caught in possession of firearms have been sentenced to five years in jail at Sheffield Crown Court.

John Murphy, 57, of Prince of Wales Road, Manor Castle and Mason Reside, 24, who is already serving time in HMP Moorlands for an unrelated offence, both appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on 26 October were they were sentenced.

On 6 August 2019, police searched a Murphy’s residence with a misuse of drugs act warrant. Officers entered the property and did not find any drugs, however they found two guns alongside a black bag containing bullets which were then seized and sent for forensic examination.

One of the guns seized

Officers returned to the property a week later and arrested Murphy, who wasn’t present when the firearms were found.

Forensics on the handgun found DNA which linked to Reside, who was already in prison.

Both men were charged with possession of a firearm.

Detective Sergeant Jim Dyson, who led the investigation, said: “Firearms have the potential to inflict serious injury on people, in addition to causing fear and violence for those living peacefully in our communities.

“We do not tolerate firearms, and I am pleased that Murphy and Reside have been punished for being in possession of these dangerous weapons.

“Any offences involving guns will be taken seriously by the force, and we will bring those responsible to justice.”