Home Breaking Two men who exchanged a firearm in a parked car in south London Jailed
Two men who exchanged a firearm in a parked car in south London Jailed
Two men who exchanged a firearm in a parked car in south London Jailed

Two men who exchanged a firearm in a parked car in south London Jailed

Two men who exchanged a firearm in a parked car in south London in front of covert officers have been jailed. Dean Philpott, 34 of Hemsted Road, Erith, and Paul Saunders, 63, of Ramillies Road, Sidcup, were each sentenced to five years’ imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, 9 March. Following a trial at the same court, Philpott was found guilty of possession of a prohibited firearm and Saunders was found guilty of possession of a prohibited firearm and the transfer of a prohibited firearm. Saunders pleaded guilty to possession of a Class B drug at an earlier hearing. The court heard that shortly before 5.10pm on Tuesday, 20 November 2018 – as part of a proactive policing operation by Specialist Crime officers – Philpott was observed by officers leaving his home address in Hemsted Road, Erith. He then made his way on foot to Birling Road, which is a distance of less than 300 yards. He was not holding any items. Officers saw Philpott get into the front passenger seat of a black Renault Megane driven by Saunders, which was parked in Birling Road. He stayed in the car for approximately 35 seconds before walking into a nearby convenience store. The black Renault Megane drove away and was immediately stopped around the corner by covert Specialist Crime officers, with the assistance of firearms officers. Saunders was detained by officers and was found to be in possession of amphetamine. He was arrested on suspicion of firearms and drugs offences and was subsequently bailed pending further enquiries. Philpott was stopped by officers when he left the shop having just bought a pair of marigold rubber gloves. Officers searched Philpott and found what appeared to be a firearm placed in several freezer bags, inside tightly wrapped black insulation tape, placed inside a torn plastic bag in his right hand tracksuit pocket. He was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences and was taken to a south London police station. In a prepared statement, Philpott accepted possession of the handgun stating that he thought it was an antique that was incapable of firing bullets. He added that he was on his way home where the firearm would have remained as a show piece/ornament. However, the weapon was classified as a firearm (a revolver). Although it was classed as an antique, it is still capable of firing bullets. Philpott was charged the next day. Following further enquiries, including forensics and phone analysis, Saunders was charged on 2 May 2019. Saunders DNA was found on the freezer bags and plastic bag the gun was wrapped in. Phone analysis also showed that Saunders had Googled a number of relevant things, including ‘loophole that allows criminals to own working antique guns,’ ‘does ammunition expire,’ and ‘how long do guns and bullets last.’ Phone analysis also proved that there had been telephone contact between the defendants leading up to the meet. In a prepared statement, Saunders denied any involvement in supplying a firearm to Philpott and then answered ‘no comment’ to all the questions put to him. When he was charged with the above offences, Saunders replied ‘this is ridiculous.’ DC Marlon Guthrie, the investigating officer, said: “I am pleased that the jury saw through the defendants’ lies and chose to convict them due to the overwhelming evidence we gathered against them. “The Met is committed to taking people like Philpott and Saunders, and the firearm they had, off the streets of London.”

Recommended for you

Screenshot-2025-10-04-at-11.33.14-1-1
MANHUNT Who is this man? Police hunt witness after brutal Northampton attack
Screenshot-2025-10-04-at-11.22.04-1-1
UNDERCOVER STING Shocking First Photo of UK Paedophile Who Planned to Rape 9-Year-Old Girl
Screenshot-2025-10-04-at-11.23.28-1-1
FREAK SLAMMED WITH JAIL Stalker Dad Jailed for Threats to Kill Ex and Her New Partner
Screenshot-2025-10-04-at-11.09.26-1-1
SPOTTED HIM Urgent Hunt for Exeter Man in Assault Probe

Must READ

gunpoint-carjacker-busted-16-years-behind-bars
Gunpoint Carjacker Busted: 16 Years Behind Bars
second-man-nabbed-over-flood-of-hoax-police-calls
Second Man Nabbed Over Flood of Hoax Police Calls
gosport-heros-miraculous-recovery-after-heart-attack-at-wheel
Gosport Hero’s Miraculous Recovery After Heart Attack at Wheel
tragic-blaze-claims-life-in-whetstone-house-fire
Tragic Blaze Claims Life in Whetstone House Fire
investigation-launched-after-smoke-pours-from-fire-at-laundry-in-west-london-2
Massive Blaze Erupts at Industrial Laundry Unit in Park Royal
Met Cracks Down on London’s Biggest Phone Theft Ring, Seizes Thousands of Stolen Mobiles
Murder Probe Launched After Man, 30, Fatally Stabbed in Leicester Home
Man Arrested Over Suspicious Mosque Fire in Peacehaven
Van Driver Busted After Circling Maidstone Car Park Hunting for Child to Abuse
Murder Probe Launched After Man, 30, Fatally Stabbed in Leicester Home
Met Police hunt two men after brutal Holloway car park attack with firearm
Three Adventurous Cavers Rescued After 36-Hour Yorkshire Dales Drama
Dashcam Appeal After M20 Smash Near Folkestone

More For You

Screenshot-2025-10-04-at-07.18.41-1-1
STORM HITS Storm Amy Smashes Britain with 100mph Winds and Torrential Rain
kent-police-is-appealing-for-witnesses-following-a-reported-break-in-at-a-business-in-whitstable-fweTKl-3-1
HIT AND RUN Urgent Appeal After Hit-and-Run Leaves Pedestrian Critically Injured in Faversham
Screenshot-2025-10-04-at-10.58.04-1-1
BRING HIM HOME Missing Man Klaidas Last Seen Near Blackfriars Bridge
John_Malkovich_1200_LT-1-1
HUNGER GAMES John Malkovich Takes on Villainous President Snow in Dystopian Thriller

More From UK News in Pictures

Three Adventurous Cavers Rescued After 36-Hour Yorkshire Dales Drama
Asylum Seeker Skates Jail After Creepy Online Chat with ‘14-Year-Old’
Murder Probe Launched After Man, 30, Fatally Stabbed in Leicester Home
Dame Jilly Cooper, legendary romance author behind hits like Rivals and The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, has died aged 88
Three Adventurous Cavers Rescued After 36-Hour Yorkshire Dales Drama
Woman Jailed for Running Down Man Near Sittingbourne
Murder Probe Launched After Man, 30, Fatally Stabbed in Leicester Home
Imam Wounded in Hounslow as Police Probe Possible Motive
Major Road Closed following Collision in Southampton
Worcester on Edge as Missing Woman Sparks Urgent Police Search
eltham-man-caught-with-child-sexual-abuse-images-featured-1-1
Paedophile Armed With Shocking Child Abuse Images Held Off for Years Before Court Action
542219949_1202701335228063_7076088472067200755_n-1
JUSTICE SERVED Meet the criminals locked up across south London this September 2025 – from a twisted teacher to a deadly biker, their shocking crimes laid bare
police-met-stock-4-742x536-4-copy-1
KILLED BY POLICE VAN Man Dies After Crash Near Westminster Bridge
FB_IMG_1759585732298-1-1
MIDNIGHT ATTACK Man Wanted Over Brutal Assault in Lewes
51180338-8fb0-4808-b060-764312b0feb2-1-1
“Bingo Brawling”: Understanding the Competitive Side of Bingo
Screenshot-2025-10-04-at-18.31.37-1-1
TRAFFIC CHAOS Car Flips Over at Busy Folkestone Junction, Causing Chaos
SEARCH CONTINUES New CCTV Clip Emerges in Hunt for Missing Maidstone Woman
Screenshot-2025-10-04-130518-1-1
BRIGHTON SHOCK Teen Found Bleeding in City Centre Late at Night
police-met-stock-5-copy-2-1
FATAL CRASH IOPC Launches Urgent Witness Appeal After Fatal Collision Involving Met Police
Screenshot-2025-10-04-at-11.48.08-1-1
LOCKED UP Leeds Man Banged Up for Harehills Chaos
Screenshot-2025-10-04-at-11.42.15-1-1
Sex Offender Jailed for Making Indecent Child Images

More From UKNIP

Screenshot-2025-10-04-at-09.33.00-1-1
Hidden Gems for Nighttime Entertainment Across Kent
Screenshot-2025-10-04-at-08.35.31-1-1
TRAGIC CRASH British Teen Who Served Dubai Jail Sentence for Sex with 17-Year-Old Killed in Police Chase Crash
Screenshot-2025-10-04-at-08.06.17-1-1
HORRIFIC ATTACK Man Suffered Broken Knuckle in Chesham Station Assault
Screenshot-2025-10-04-at-07.32.08-1-1
SPOONS KNIFE ATTACK Stabbing Shocker in Leatherhead Town Centre