Man Jailed After Handgun Found in East Carlton Country Park

A man  has been jailed for six years after a handgun was found hidden at East Carlton Country Park.

Just before midday on November 17th last year, an off-duty Police Community Support Officer was walking his dog when he discovered a canvas bag in a wooded area just off a footpath.

The bag contained a black handgun, which was examined by armed police officers, detectives and specialist crime scene investigators.

Forensic testing found the DNA of Jakub Sawa (pictured) on the left-hand side of the gun’s grip.

Forensic testing found the DNA of Jakub Sawa on the left-hand side of the gun’s grip.

Sawa, 27, who is from Hatton Garden in London and has links to Corby, was arrested and charged with possessing a firearm.

He denied possessing the gun but was found guilty and sentenced at Northampton Crown Court.

Detective Constable Kieran Fowler, lead investigator for Northamptonshire Police, praised the off-duty PCSO for reporting the discovery.

He said: “This was a significant discovery by an off-duty colleague, and I would like to commend his vigilance in reporting what he found.”

“The firearm recovered from East Carlton Park was a viable handgun, and thanks to extensive forensic enquiries we were able to link it directly to Sawa through DNA evidence.”

Detective Constable Fowler said illegal firearms “have no place in our communities” and warned that they have the potential to cause devastating harm.

He said police remain committed to pursuing anyone involved in possessing, using or supplying illegal firearms.