A man has been sent to prison after police found multiple guns and ammunition. Ashley Shields, was given an unpleasant birthday present as he was sentenced to 13 years behind bars the day after turning 40. Shields, of Plodder Lane, Farnworth , appeared at Manchester Crown Court yesterday, Wednesday, August 8.
He was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment for possession of five viable firearms, which were recovered from addresses across Farnworth and Little Hulton. On Thursday 23 March 2023, police were informed of a violent disturbance in Little Hulton. After conducting enquiries, a warrant was executed at an address on Briar Hill Avenue, in Little Hulton.
Ashley Shields (Image: GMP) During a search of the address, a rucksack was found in a wheelie bin at the rear of the property. Inside the bag was a large quantity of cocaine. There was also a vacuum seal bag which contained a Glock 17 self-loading pistol, two empty magazine cartridges and a black plastic bag containing 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
This weapon and ammunition were forensically recovered and sent for DNA swabbing and analysis. The DNA profile of Shields was identified on the trigger of the weapon. Read more: UPDATES: Main road closed in run-up to rush hour Read more: Depraved man, 27, sold thousands of pounds worth of sexual images of children online Read more: The town centre take-away which is a firm favourite with visitors to Bolton Shields was subsequently traced to an address in Bolton and arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Upon arrest Shields was found to have live ammunition in his pocket. A further warrant was executed at Shields’ home address whereby three revolvers were later recovered. A collage of firearms which were found (Image: GMP) His co-defendant, Jay Madden, aged 20, was sentenced to five years and seven months in May this year for possession of one firearm and being concerned in the supply of class B drugs.
The firearm which was recovered at Madden’s home address on Cleggs Lane, Little Hulton, was also found to have Shields’ DNA on it. Detective Constable Shannon, of GMP’s Challenger Organised Crime Unit in Salford, said: “Today's sentence has resulted in the seizure of five weapons, taken out of the hands of criminals who are involved in serious and organised crime. "This recovery will undoubtedly hinder this organised crime group but will also help protect the local community from being endangered by their acts.
"Salford's Programme Challenger Organised Crime Unit will continue to clamp down on criminals who think they do not have to follow the same rules as the rest of society and regularly endanger communities with their acts.”.
