A man has been charged after a sawn-off shotgun was recovered during an open land search.
The double-barrelled shotgun was recovered alongside "viable" ammunition on a footpath by Ingoe Lane, Kirkby, on Friday, May 14 last year. Officers at the time said the weapon, with a shortened barrel, would be sent for forensic testing to assess if it was linked to other criminal shootings.
Today Merseyside Police announced Thang Trung Hoang, 43, of Neptune Street in London, has now been charged with possession of a shortened shotgun and possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate.
READ MORE: Man who scarred woman for life with hot oil will be back walking streets in months
He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, November 11. At the time the gun was recovered, Detective Inspector John Fitzgerald said: "Removing this potential weapon will make our streets a much safer place to be.
"Our enquiries will now continue in order to find out if it has been used before, and to whom it belongs. We're absolutely committed to tackling those involved in all serious organised crime, including gun crime, and we have dedicated significant resources into taking weapons and offenders off our streets."
READ NEXT:
Holly and Phil 'booed by fans' as This Morning win National Television Award
Blow for Hooters as plans rejected by council
Kwasi Kwarteng sacked as Chancellor amid chaos in government
Man cries and tells pregnant partner 'I'm sorry' as he's jailed for smuggling drugs into Creamfields
Police reps disgusted at 'low sentence' handed to thug who drove van over officer
