Craig Taberer aged 33 of Sunningdale Drive, Swinton was spotted by police hanging around near where the rucksack containing a firearm, a home-made silencer and ammunition as well as trainers, trousers, a jacket, gloves and a balaclava was found.
Earlier he had knocked on the door of the house where it was found to ask them if they had found a rucksack in their back yard.
Taberer was arrested on on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. He was taken into police custody for questioning, during which he claimed he had been asked to look after it by men whose names he would not disclose.
Taberer was charged and subsequently pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of a silencer with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life and was jailed for twelve years yesterday in Manchester.
Detective Sergeant Daniel Worthington, of GMP’s Operation Arctic team, said: “This is a great result for both police and members of the public across Greater Manchester – the items in the rucksack could have been used to kill or cause serious injuries but are now off the streets.
“I would like to use this opportunity to thank the individual who found the rucksack for contacting police and assisting us with our investigation – intelligence from members of the public helps us protect communities from serious and organised crime. I would also like to highlight the work of our surveillance officers and the Operation Arctic team – they are thorough and absolutely committed to keeping Greater Manchester safe.
“I hope Taberer’s sentence serves as a stark warning to anyone who is involved in serious and organised crime or is even in possession of a weapon that neither GMP nor the justice system will tolerate this and, once caught, you are likely to receive a hefty prison sentence.”
