Man jailed over key fob firearm

Police found a key fob firearm and bullets in Michael Smith's rucksack

A man who was arrested for having a key fob gun as well as ammunition and drugs has been jailed for five years at Manchester Crown Court.

Michael Smith, 26, of Dukinfield, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm, possessing drugs with intent to supply and possessing a noxious substance.

Police arrested him after finding a key ring device, claw hammer and a CS spray can in his rucksack on 10 October.

The key ring device was found to be a firearm with two bullets inside.

A further search of the rucksack revealed a set of electric scales and a clear plastic bag containing wraps of heroin, police said.

Two bullets can be inserted into the key fob

Det Con Barbara Offord, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "It is always very concerning when you find someone carrying a firearm, however it is even more worrying when you see the way in which people try and disguise them to look like everyday items.

"This weapon was also loaded and so could have seriously injured someone."

Key fob weapons are often imported from Eastern Europe.

The weapon, which fires two .22 bullets, is cocked by pulling part of the key ring.

Two buttons on the side of the box fire it and a third opens the device for reloading.