Three men jailed after handgun, ammunition and drugs seized in raid on Leeds house

In a major operation, police stopped two cars in Castleford and Wakefield on May 18 2020.

Officers found a pistol and ammunition when they searched a Skoda on Cannon Street, Castleford.

A knife was found in a Volkswagen that was stopped on Chantry Bridge, Wakefield, on the same day.

Police later raided a house on Bradford Road, Morley where a handgun, ammunition and illegal drugs were found.

Three men were jailed at Bradford Crown Court today following the operation, led by West Yorkshire Police’s Programme Precision - a crackdown on serious organised crime.

Matthew Daw, aged 36, of Daleside, Dewsbury (who is also known as Matthew King) admitted to conspiracy to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to cause fear of violence.

He was jailed for a total of 11 years and was also served with a five-year Serious Crime Prevention Order, which will begin when he is released from prison.

Luke Skinner, aged 24, of Laithe Croft, Batley and Jake Rigby, aged 21, of Bradford Road Morley were found guilty of the same charges as Daw, as well as possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Skinner was sentenced to nine years in total, while Rigby received a total term of eight years and four months.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Key of Programme Precision, said: “Members of the public will have seen officers on May 18 last year carrying out searches and making arrests and now those proceedings have come to an end.

“What people won’t have seen is the painstaking work by Programme Precision officers and colleagues leading up to the arrests that went into bringing these men to justice.

“Illegal firearms and drugs can cause misery to the communities we serve and I am proud of my team in helping to make the streets of West Yorkshire a safer place.

“And to those who choose to involve themselves in these types of offences – the message is clear – we will take action against you and you will face the full consequences of the criminal justice system.”

If you suspect crime in your community call police on 101, or give information online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat or anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

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