Man jailed after rucksack with pistol found in bin

Officers seized a total of five firearms as part of their investigation

A man has been jailed after a rucksack with a pistol, ammunition and cocaine was found in a wheelie bin after a "violent disturbance".

Ashley Shields was arrested in Bolton last year after his DNA was found on the trigger of the gun in Salford, Greater Manchester Police said.

Officers found him with live ammunition in his pocket and three revolvers were then discovered at his home on Bury Road in the town.

The 40-year-old was jailed for 13 years at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to drugs and firearm offences.

Ashley Shields has been jailed for 13 years

The rucksack, which had a vacuum seal bag containing a pistol, two empty magazine cartridges and another plastic bag with 15 ammunition rounds, was discovered after a “violent disturbance” in Salford, police said.

Following forensic tests, the DNA profile of Shields was identified on the trigger and he was traced to Bolton.

A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman said the case had led to the seizure of five weapons “taken out of the hands of criminals who are involved in serious and organised crime”.

"This recovery will undoubtedly hinder this organised crime group but will also help protect the local community from being endangered by their acts,” she added.