Man jailed over 3D printed gun possession

The weapon was found on top of a chest of drawers at a property in Nantwich, Cheshire Police confirmed

A man has been jailed for more than five years for possession of a 3D printed gun.

Matthew Alcroft, 31, of Cheyney Walk, Crewe, was sentenced to 63 months for possession of a prohibited weapon at Chester Crown Court on 20 February.

Alcroft was arrested and charged in November after officers found a 3D printed handgun, with one bullet in the chamber and four in the clip, on top of a chest of drawers, at a property in Nantwich, Cheshire Constabulary confirmed.

Alcroft had previously been convicted of offences which meant he was prohibited from having a firearm.

Det Con Lauren Constable said: "This 3D printed gun is thought to be the first in the county to be seized and destroyed and we want it to be the last.

"Alcroft would only say that he found the gun on his car bonnet, but if that was indeed the case, what he should have done was report this to police and hand the gun to us."

Alcroft was also jailed for six months for possession of ammunition without a firearms certificate and 27 months for possession of a firearm when prohibited, with all sentences to be served concurrently.