Men caught hiding bag of guns and ammunition in bushes

Two men have been jailed after being caught by children trying to hide a bag of guns and ammunition.

Reece Brown, 25, and Daniel Curran, 22, were later linked to the haul of pistols and silencers discovered in Glasgow’s Springboig in May this year.

Prosecutor Nicola Gilchrist KC told how the two youngsters spotted a man wearing hi-vis clothing get out a car on Tynecastle Street.

She explained: “They saw the individual – identified as Brown – hide a bag in some bushes and then run off.

“The children flagged down a police vehicle and alerted the officers to what they observed.”

An Aldi shopping bag was then discovered with a brown box inside.

Ms Gilchrist said: “It was opened and found to contain five firearms, noise moderators and ammunition.”

CCTV footage was later reviewed, and a man matching Brown’s description was captured running near the scene at the time.

The court heard forensic evidence linked both Brown and Curran to the consignment.

Police – along with firearms officers – later carried out separate raids at their homes, both in the city’s Cranhill.

Ms Gilchrist said the Turkish-made weapons were found to be modelled on Glock 17 pistols.

The firearms had initially been designed to fire “blanks”, but had been converted at some stage to be capable of discharging bullets.

The weapons were described as being in “working order”.

There were a total of 35 cartridges and bullets recovered.

The sound moderators were said to be of “home-made construction”.

Brown and Curran both pled guilty to a charge of possessing firearms as they appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow.

Curran already had previous convictions for weapons, violence and breaching a court order.

Brown had a number of road traffic offences as well as attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Defence lawyers John Scullion KC and Paul Keenan reserved mitigation until the next calling of the case.

Lord Arthurson told Brown and Curran: “This is a serious crime you have pled guilty to, and you will remain in custody meantime.”

Sentencing was adjourned for reports until next month.

Detective sergeant Clarke said: “To discard firearms shows absolutely no regard for the safety of the local community.

“Thankfully they were recovered by officers before they could cause serious injury to someone – or worse.

“Violence and the carrying of firearms is completely unacceptable.

“I believe these convictions sends a message to those involved in serious criminality that we remain determined to bring you to justice.

“This was a significant recovery and we worked closely with a range of partners to secure these convictions.

“I would also like to thank the public for their support throughout the investigation.”

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