Leeds Man Locked Up for Five Years After Loaded AK-47 Found at Home
Shocking Weapon Discovery in Hyde Park
A Leeds man has been slammed with a five-year prison sentence after police uncovered a loaded AK-47 assault rifle and 30 rounds of live ammo stashed in his home. Kane Clarke, 27, was arrested following a search of his property on Kelsall Road, Hyde Park, on November 20, 2024.
Officers discovered the military-grade firearm hidden away in the cellar after initially detaining Clarke over unrelated suspicions.
Deadly Firearm Details
The AK-47 is no toy – this high-powered, automatic rifle was designed for the battlefield. It can fire up to 600 rounds per minute with a scary effective range of 350 metres. Finding such a weapon in civilian hands raised alarms over potential criminal use.
No Excuses in Court
During police interviews, Clarke refused to say why he had the weapon. At Leeds Crown Court on December 19, he pleaded guilty to:
- Possessing a prohibited automatic weapon
- Possessing 30 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition
Clarke claimed he was holding the AK-47 “on behalf of others” but declined to name anyone else.
Police Praise Sentencing
The arrest and investigation were led by Leeds District’s Programme Precision Team, dedicated to cracking down on serious organised crime. Detective Inspector John Graham said:
“This is a military-grade weapon designed for the battlefield and is something that can have only one deadly purpose in the hands of criminals.”
“It is extremely rare for firearms of this type to be found in circulation, and thankfully, this one has now been taken off the streets. We hope the significant prison term Clarke has received will reassure the community and serve as a stark warning to others who involve themselves in this type of crime.”
Keeping Leeds Safe
This case shines a spotlight on ongoing police efforts to rid Leeds of dangerous weapons and tackle serious crime head-on. Authorities are urging the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicions around illegal firearms to protect the community.
