"Gun crime has a devastating effect on communities"
Tahira Nelson-Warburton, aged 27, of south London, was jailed for five years after she was found in possession of a sawn-off shotgun.
In addition, the “glamourous” young woman kept ammunition in a makeup bag.
The matter came to light after Nelson-Warburton’s home was raided.
Woolwich Crown Court heard that police officers from Trident’s South Proactive Team raided her home in Wandsworth during the evening of August 5, 2016.
Officers searched her bedroom wardrobe. Inside, they found a rucksack, which contained a sawn-off shotgun wrapped in clothing. A quantity of ammunition was also found wrapped in clothing.
During a further search of the bedroom, officers found a makeup bag in a chest of drawers, which contained more ammunition.
A large quantity of cash was also found.
Nelson-Warburton, who was at home when the search was carried out at 10:05 pm, was arrested and subsequently charged.
At court, Nelson-Warburton pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to cause fear or violence.
Police believed that she was holding the weapon for another person.
The Mirror reported that Tahira Nelson-Warburton was sentenced to five years in prison.
Following her jail sentence, Detective Constable Martin Reader, of the Trident and Area Crime Command, said:
“We will continue to target anyone who is storing a gun, or helping to hide them from the police as this conviction shows.
“Gun crime has a devastating effect on communities and families.
“Anyone found to be involved in the storing or use of lethal firearms will face a significant custodial sentence.”
A 21-year-old woman was arrested as part of the investigation but was released with no further action.
In a similar incident of possessing a sawn-off shotgun, two men were jailed for a combined total of 15 years.
Yasir Nassir and Kuldip Singh were caught driving in Birmingham City Centre at 5 am on September 10, 2016.
Police pulled them over and conducted a search of the vehicle. Officers found two sawn-off shotguns and one starter pistol. Police found them stashed hidden under some car seats.
Police also recovered shotgun cartridges from the vehicle, which they found in the rear seat footwell.
After the initial search, police searched Nassir’s home in Walsall where they discovered more weapons and cartridges.
This included another shotgun, a silenced gun, two air rifles, pellets and blank 6mm cartridges.
Following Nassir’s guilty plea and Singh’s confession, Nassir was jailed for seven years while Singh received an eight-year sentence.
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