A 29-year-old man discovered storing a pump action shotgun and ammunition for criminals has been jailed for three years and four months.

Sentencing Mohammed Asif Salim at Bradford Crown Court yesterday, Judge Christopher Batty said Salim’s act made the serious law breakers who owned such weapons harder for the police to catch.

And the judge called for the maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment for possession of an illegally held firearm to be increased.

Salim was pressured into looking after the gun after he ran up a drugs debt, the court heard.

Police found the weapon and ammunition for it concealed in a box in a cupboard at his partner’s home in Heddon Close, Little Horton , Bradford, on February 25.

Salim, who was not at the property at the time, was circulated as wanted and handed himself in four days later, the court was told.

He made no reply when the police questioned him.

Salim pleaded guilty to possession of a shotgun without a licence and causing his partner actual bodily harm on May 8.

The woman threw her cup of tea on the floor after losing her job.Salim smashed a vase before raining blows and kicks on her in a row over money.

Salim, of Springwood Avenue, West Bowling , Bradford, had been held in custody since May, the court was told.

He took drugs and got into bad company.

He was looking after the gun to reduce his debt to dealers.

Judge Batty jailed Salim for three years for the firearm offence and four months for the assault.

He said such weapons could be used in robberies.

The gun was not locked away and could have fallen into the hands of other wrong-doers if the house had been burgled.

In mitigation, his barrister, Andrew Dallas, said his client was from an excellent family and had a young son.

“There is much good in him and another side to him,” Mr Dallas said.