Pair jailed after guns seized in M1 car stop

The guns were found on the back seat of the truck

Two men caught with firearms and ammunition on the back seat of a pick-up truck have been jailed.

Police on patrol on the M1 in Nottinghamshire spotted a suspected cloned vehicle at Trowell Services around 9.45pm on 30 March 2023.

The Ford Ranger failed to stop and following a short pursuit crashed into a lorry.

Joseph Steele, left, and Shera Virk

Officers arrested Shera Virk, who was driving the vehicle, and Joseph Steele, the only passenger.

When Operational Support officers searched the pick-up truck they found a black case on the back seat which contained three firearms and ammunition.

Investigations revealed Virk and Steele had travelled from Warwickshire to Sheffield earlier the same day to acquire the weapons and were on their return journey when they were stopped.

Steele, aged, 34, of Brewery Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, was jailed for nine years at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday (28 February).

Twenty-four-year-old Virk, of Golf Lane, Whitnash, Warwickshire, was put behind bars for eight years.

Both were convicted of possession of firearms and possession of prohibited ammunition following a three-week trial at the same court.

The scene of the crash after Virk and Steele failed to stop

Virk was also convicted of dangerous driving.

The investigation led officers to identify further offenders involved in a conspiracy to manufacture and supply firearms to Virk and Steele.

Officers worked closely with South Yorkshire Police to dismantle the organised crime group and nine defendants have been convicted of conspiracy to manufacture and supply firearms and prohibited ammunition. They are due to be sentenced over the coming months.

Detective Constable Amelia Hicklin, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“The initial stop by Operational Support officers was an extremely impressive piece of proactive police work.

“Their alertness and skill on duty allowed us to apprehend these two suspects and take dangerous weapons off the streets and out of harm’s way.

“It also prompted a robust and wider investigation with colleagues from other forces.  

“Thankfully, firearms offences are extremely rare in Nottinghamshire and we are proactive in our efforts to take these weapons off the streets and keep the public safe from the devastating consequences of gun crime.”