West Midlands brothers jailed for possessing gun arsenal

Two brothers have been jailed after a deadly arsenal of 16 guns, including a Kalashnikov and Uzi sub-machine gun, were uncovered at their houses.

Daniel Thatcher, aged 25, of Summerfield Avenue, Wall Heath, and Lee Thatcher stored the weapons and ammunition, which was found after they were arrested on suspicion of an unrelated burglary at a derelict building in Dudley.

Police searched the men's houses in May and in a hold-all at the garage of Lee Thatcher, 28, officers found a "military-calibre" Kalashnikov, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday.

Under gun enthusiast Daniel Thatcher's bed, officers found a 9mm Uzi and, a 9mm pistol and cartridges.

Shotguns, pistols and hundreds of live rounds were also discovered at searches of the addresses, said Mr Philip Bradley, prosecuting.

Judge John Warner sentenced Daniel Thatcher to three years and eight months.

Lee Thatcher, whose address cannot be published for legal reasons, was sentenced to 450 days but is expected to be freed because of the time he had spent in custody.

The judge said there was no suggestion of terrorism, political or gang-related motivation. The men had admitted charges of possession of firearms and ammunition.