A CRIMINAL, who stored firearms in Bradford for serious villains, has been jailed for five years.

Anthony Watson's DNA was found on the triggers of a sawn-off shotgun and a modified revolver and a glove containing a 'dum-dum' bullet, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

The guns and ammunition were among a "small criminal arsenal" of weapons found by police in the attic of a house in St Stephen's Road, West Bowling.

Prosecutor Philip Standfast said officers had been investigating a burglary when they found the cache in April last year.

Mr Standfast said Watson was not connected to the property but scientific investigations linked the defendant to the shotgun, revolver, and a bullet designed to explode on impact.

The prosecutor said one weapon found, which was not linked to Watson, was believed to have been used in a shooting.

Watson, 44, of Westcombe Court, Wyke, Bradford, admitted possessing prohibited weapons and ammunition.

His solicitor advocate, Anne-Marie Hutton, said her client's failings revolved around his misuse of alcohol. His involvement with the weapons was brief.

Watson had pleaded guilty on a basis that he thought he had been given a bag of mobile phones but the Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas QC, described that as "nonsensical".

Judge Thomas said police had found a small, criminal arsenal at the house and DNA linked some of the weaponry to Watson.

He told the defendant: "You were a foil for somebody with this serious weaponry, to store it away from the eyes of the police.

"You say the weaponry went back to the person who asked you to store it, and it did. Clear it is, for a period of time you gave safe haven to this serious weaponry ... no doubt some sort of reward coming in your direction."

Rejecting Watson's basis of plea, Judge Thomas said criminals with such weaponry would not entrust them to "some hapless drunk" on the basis that he was told to keep a few mobile phones in his bedroom.

He added: "He was a safe house for a criminal organiser of weapons, and serious weaponry at that."

After the case, Detective Inspector Ian Bryar, of the Bradford District Quartz Team, said: "Police are committed to removing firearms from Bradford district to make sure that the people who live and work here remain safe.

"Gun crime will not be tolerated and anyone who is found to be involved in firearms incidents, or convicted of possession of a firearm can expect to receive a prison sentence.

"Firearms discharges in Bradford are showing a significant reduction on last year. This has been helped by the information we receive from members of the public which assists our officers in making seizures of guns and ammunition.

"We will continue to work with local communities to target those involved in gun crime across the district, and we would urge anyone with any information to contact the police on 101, or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."