Mother jailed after stashing loaded gun used in murder at her West Midlands home

Selina Jarrett stored the murder weapon in her West Midlands home which she shared with her two young children.

It comes after it was used to gun down 19-year-old Malakai McKenzie outside a pub six years ago.

Investigating officer Pc Sharon Hetherington said: “Selina is the mother of two young children but due to her actions she has now been taken away from them for several years.

“It’s shocking a mum could take a decision to keep a deadly weapon in her home. I dread to think what could have happened if the children had stumbled across it."

Officers from West Midlands Police’s organised crime and gangs unit raided Jarrett’s Birmingham home on March 16.

They uncovered a Glock semi-automatic handgun loaded with six bullets, which was stuffed inside a sock in a hallway cupboard.

The 35-year-old was arrested on suspicion of possessing an illegal firearm and ammunition but claimed she was shocked at the discovery.

She denied the offence and suggested it was stashed in her Edgbaston home in Bellevue without her knowledge.

But jurors at Birmingham Crown Court found her guilty by a majority and she was jailed on Friday.

Pc Hetherington added: “Her demeanour throughout the police interview was almost jovial - she was laughing and joking and was clearly confident we wouldn’t be able to convict her of possessing the gun.

“The seriousness of her offence is no doubt hitting home now though, as she starts a long stint behind bars.

“This should serve as a powerful message to anyone who’s asked to hold guns for partners, relatives or friends. They are risking being taken away from their children, family and friends and spending several years in jail."

Ballistics experts from the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) tested the pistol and carried out a microscopic examination of the bullet markings.

It revealed the same weapon had been used to fatally shoot Mr McKenzie in Nottingham in April 2012.

Experts also confirmed the gun was used in another shooting in Nottingham 22 days before Mr Mckenzie's death.

West Midlands Police Chief Superintendent Jo Chilton, who is also head of NABIS, said: “It’s not unusual for NABIS to identify firearms that have been discharged in crime many years after the event.

"This case shows how vital the work of NABIS is in linking firearms to crime, to enable investigators to bring offenders to justice.

“If anyone has information on illegal firearms I would encourage them to report it to their local police or anonymously to Crimestoppers. By working in partnership the community and police can reduce the threat and impact illegal firearms have on public safety."