Police uncover deadly weapons at Middleton home

Date published: 15 January 2009

These are the deadly weapons found by police during a search on a quiet Middleton home.

Police officers discovered a semi-automatic air rifle and a Brocock ‘target trophy’ air revolver from the Alkrington home of Man San Chan, who was recently jailed for five years.

Police were first alerted to Chan after he was stopped in his Mercedes on suspicion of driving while banned last September. During the search, they found an imitation Walther P99 hand gun in the glove compartment of the car, sparking the search of his home. Officers also recovered a further three handguns.

Detective Constable John Schofield said: "Chan had potentially deadly guns at his disposal, especially the rifle, which in the wrong hands could well have ended up with someone being killed. Rochdale, and Greater Manchester in general, wants our streets to be free of guns, and we can assure our communities that we are doing all we can to ensure that the likes of Chan and their guns are kept well away from them."

The judge ordered than Chan should spend two-an-a-half years in prison, minus time he had already served in custody awaiting sentencing, with the remaining time spend on license in the community.