Man who converted staple gun into firearm jailed

A man who converted a staple gun into a "deadly firearm" has been jailed, the British Transport Police (BTP) has said.

Jamie Young, of Longfield, near Dartford in Kent, tested its firepower in a field and was subsequently caught with the weapon in his suitcase on a train in March 2024.

The 45-year-old pleaded guilty to manufacturing a firearm and possession of a firearm.

At St Albans Crown Court on 8 December, he was sentenced to five years in prison.

An off-duty Metropolitan Police officer spotted Young taking drugs on the train in Hertfordshire.

He was removed from the service at St Albans City Station to be searched and the converted staple gun was found.

He was arrested and the firearm was seized, along with two phones and a small amount of crack cocaine.

The weapon was tested by specialists and classified as a viable firearm equipped with a barrel to fire ammunition, BTP said.

Analysis of the phones uncovered further evidence connecting Young to the homemade gun, including a video of him test firing it in a field, as well as a self-portrait photo with the weapon.

In police interview, Young claimed the firearm was placed in his suitcase a few months before his trip and he was not aware it was inside until officers found it.

Det Con Agata Barker said: "Thanks to the sharp actions of the off-duty officer travelling on the train that day, a lethal weapon has been removed from criminal circulation.

"Only Jamie Young knows what he planned to do with his homemade gun, but if it was used against someone it could have resulted in fatal consequences."

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