The revolver gun was traced to have been in the hands of Ali Abdughari-Abud, 22 after police searched his phone and found a video of the weapon.
Initially, police were alerted that children, between the ages of nine and 11 had found a firearm while playing in the Byker area of Newcastle in May 2023.
Ali Abdughari-Abud, 22. (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE) Forensic testing found that the gun, and its ammunition, were viable. Luckily, the children were not injured.
A probe subsequently found a video on Abdughari-Abud’s phone showing at least one firearm lying on a cloth before the camera turns to his face.
Detectives were able to match it with that of the one seen in the video and Abdughari-Abud charged with firearms offences.
Abdughari-Abud, of Copland Terrace in Shieldfield, Newcastle then appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where he admitted possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition without a certificate.
The gun, found by children. (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE) He was sentenced to five years in prison on December 20.
Detective Sergeant David Wylam, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was an excellent piece of teamwork from our officers which has seen a dangerous offender put behind bars and undoubtedly made the community safer.
“We were able to collate information on Abdughari-Abud and identify the video on his phone as showing the firearm which the children had found in Byker.
Ammunition found by the children. (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE) “He is now rightly beginning a sentence in prison for his crimes.”
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Detective Sergeant Wylam added: “Firearms have absolutely no place whatsoever in our communities and we hope that this case demonstrates how seriously we tackle such offending.
“It is extremely fortunate that the firearm did not cause any serious damage in the hands of children, considering it contained live ammunition.
“We are pleased that the courts have imposed a custodial term upon Abdughari-Abud for the danger he brought to the community through his actions.”