A man has been jailed for firearms offences after officers chased him down when they spotted a suspicious car in Kensington.
Ellis Heather, 23 (26.05.00), a drill rapper known as ‘Rack5’, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court in May to; possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life; possession of a prohibited firearm; possession of ammunition without a certificate/ authority; and possession of a firearm when prohibited.
He was sentenced at the same court on Monday, 3 July as follows.
- Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life – 7 years and 9 months’ imprisonment;
- Possession of a Prohibited Firearm – 5 years’ imprisonment concurrent;
- Possession of Ammunition without a certificate – No Separate Punishment;
- Possession of a Firearm when Prohibited – No Separate Punishment.
The court heard that on the afternoon of 7 October 2022, plain-clothed officers from the Central West Basic Command Unit were on patrol in an unmarked vehicle driving down Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill, when they noticed a black Mercedes travelling towards them in which the front passenger was wearing an open-face balaclava.
Growing suspicious, officers decided to stop the vehicle, which then made off before pulling over in St Marks Road.
At this point the front passenger jumped out of the car and ran off down Bassett Road, pursued by officers on foot.
He ran into the front garden of a residential address but was quickly detained.
Officers searched the area and discovered a firearm lying in undergrowth and Heather was arrested.
The firearm and taken for specialist analysis. It was found to be a Zoraki M906 that had originally been manufactured as a blank and gas firing pistol.
But the gun had been converted and was now a viable firearm capable of firing and was loaded with six bullets.
Forensic analysis would prove that Heather had been
