Leeds plot ringleaders also had a dead '˜armoury' of guns and explosives

The pair were found guilty of possessing firearms and explosives at a trial earlier this year.

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The YEP can now report how West Yorkshire Police made the discovery at Bad Boy Motors, in Hunslet, two years ago.

During May and June 2015 police received reports of more than 100 gang-related offences including arson, criminal damage and violence within a square mile of the Beeston area.

The incidents culminated in an attempted murder of a man who was shot in October 2015.

Suspects were arrested over the incident and police received information following the shooting which led them to Bad Boy Motors, on Leathley Road.

Officers carried out an extensive search of the property on November 26, 2015, and discovered a large amount of gunpowder obtained from powerful fireworks.

Three shotguns, two handguns and ammunition were also recovered from a gated off area to the rear of the premises which was guarded by a pit bull terrier dog.

Judge Bayliss said: “I am quite sure this was properly described as an armoury. You were responsible for and in control of those weapons.

“The gravity of gun crime cannot be exaggerated. Guns on our streets have the capacity to kill, to maim, to terrorise and to intimidate.”

The garage was also being used to store damaged vehicles, some believed to have been involved in fraudulent ‘cash for crash’ incidents.

No one was at the premises at the time of the police raid but Raja and Jonaade were arrested days later.

West Yorkshire Police made an application to the Attorney General for permission to charge the pair with offences under the rarely-used Explosives Act.

At a trial in July, both men were were found guilty of unlawful possession of explosives, three offences of possession of a prohibited firearm, possessing a firearm and a shotgun without a certificate, possessing ammunition without a certificate and perverting the course of justice.

The pair claimed throughout the trial that the weapons, ammunition and gunpowder had been planted at the premises by others.

Jonaade Hussains barrister, Abbas Lakha, QC, said his client was a former pupil of Leeds Grammar School who had done on to study law and computing at Huddersfield University.

Mr Lakha said Jonaade then obtained a contract as a trainee solicitor in Manchester but gave the profession up, in 2014, after just eight months.

The lawyer said: “His fall from grace has been spectacular.”