THEY thought they were responding to a routine call, but what police actually uncovered was an arsenal of weaponry that included a sub machine gun and assault rifles.

Officers were deployed to the semi-detached Hampshire home believing they would be dealing with a breach of the peace after they were called in by a bailiff who was in a dispute over an unpaid electricity bill.

What followed was a search of the property which revealed a weapons bunker inside which was found a haul of potentially lethal firearms.

Daily Echo:

David Hill was jailed for 18 months for illegally possessing firearms

Southampton Crown Court heard how the house in Rose Road became the centre of police activity for several days as specially trained fire search and rescue teams worked to excavate the haul from an outbuilding.

The entrance had been hidden by an inspection cover but the weapons den had been equipped with power and lighting.

Prosecutor Andy Houston told the court how the investigation at the home on Rose Road in Eling yielded an assortment of firearms and ammunition as well as extreme pornography.

Daily Echo:

Under discarded tools, police officers recovered a red bag that contained a Chinese AK47 assault rifle and an Israeli Uzi submachine gun.

Both had been deactivated but they also found a German Brocock revolver capable of discharging a cartridge.

They also found:

  • A Russian Mosin Nagant rifle that had been deactivated, but the bolt could be fitted to another weapon to make it effective
  • 16 nine-millimetre Luger rounds
  • 31 nine-millimetre rounds of various types
  • 19 7.62 rounds for an assault rifle

The man living at the property, David Hill, was arrested and later charged in connection with the discovery.

The court heard Hill described as a militaria fan. He claimed he had bought some items at a Bovington Camp fayre and had been given others by a friend.

The court heard police also seized a small amount of amphetamine consistent for personal use in the red bag, and in the house they found a 1980s VHS tape marked ‘animals.’ When examined, it appeared to feature a wildlife park but revealed women taking part in obscene acts.

Daily Echo:

Hill, 51, admitted illegal possession of the firearms and ammunition, the amphetamine and extreme pornography and was jailed for 18 months.

After the hearing, Dc Robert Rees said: “This sentence reflects the gravity of the offence and shows Hampshire police take these matters extremely seriously, and will commit resources and time to recover illegally held weapons.

“Our message to those holding an illegal firearm and ammunition is that no matter how well you think you’ve got it hidden, it can be found and there are serious consequences for those connected with the possession of illegal guns and ammunition.”