Dangerous Gunman Ricky Anderson Jailed for Five Years
Ricky Anderson, 45, of Beechwood Drive, Woodford Green, was locked up for five years at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, 9 May. He pleaded guilty to multiple firearm offences and was slapped with a five-year serious crime prevention order.
Weapons and Explosives Found at His Home
Anderson was caught red-handed after police responded to reports of a disturbance at his address on 27 September 2022. Attempting to flee, he was chased down and searched. Officers found two blank rounds of ammunition on him. A specialist firearms dog soon uncovered a loaded gun nearby.
Police raided Anderson’s home and seized:
- An improvised explosive device containing explosive powder
- Tools including a vice and conversion equipment
- About 80 blank rounds of ammunition
- Fireworks and chemicals like sulphur, charcoal, and graphite — all key ingredients for making firearms
Met Police Unmask a Potentially Lethal Threat
During questioning, Anderson claimed he found the bomb and planned to dismantle it. But officers were not convinced. The Met’s Trident and Area Command, SO15 Counter Terrorism, and specialist search teams led the investigation.
Inspector Matt Freeman, Met’s Trident and Area Command, said: “Anderson is a dangerous individual. While we don’t know his exact motives, we do know he armed himself with multiple lethal tools. It was sheer luck his chemicals didn’t cause a devastating explosion that could have harmed neighbours and homes. Information from the public is vital. I urge anyone who suspects criminal activity to come forward.”
Stay Safe: How to Report Crime Anonymously
If you know something, say something — but you don’t have to talk to police directly. Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. They never ask for your name and can’t trace your call or IP address.
Younger people with info about violence or knife crime can use Fearless, part of Crimestoppers, to share information safely online without revealing their identity or IP address.
