An Eastwood man who discarded a loaded firearm while attempting to flee from armed police has been jailed for a total of six years and eight months
Firearms officers were on patrol on Far Lane, Rotherham, on 16 March when they spotted a man riding a Surron e-bike while wearing a helmet. The rider abandoned the bike and fled on foot, prompting officers to give chase.
The suspect, later identified as 48-year-old Ben Dearden, was quickly detained after removing his helmet during the pursuit.
Following a search of the area, officers recovered the discarded helmet. Hidden inside was a sports bag containing a loaded firearm.
Examination of the weapon revealed there was a live round in the chamber and a further six rounds loaded in the magazine. Forensic testing later established the firearm had previously been discharged on two separate occasions โ once in Doncaster in 2018 and again in Sheffield in 2023.
Dearden, of Eastwood Court, Rotherham, was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences but remained silent throughout his police interview, refusing to answer officersโ questions.
He was subsequently charged with possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition without a certificate, possession of a firearm while prohibited for life, and possession of ammunition while prohibited for life.
Dearden pleaded guilty to all offences at Sheffield Crown Court on 15 April and was remanded into custody.
He returned to court for sentencing on Thursday (2 July), where he was handed a six-year prison sentence. The court also imposed a consecutive eight-month sentence after Dearden admitted possessing a knife during a separate incident on 21 February.
Temporary Detective Inspector Matt Barnes, from the Armed Crime Team, said: โThis is a great result which has seen a loaded firearm, and the man carrying it, taken off the street.
โWe know only too well the terrible damage that firearms can do. Gun crime destroys lives.
โThere is absolutely no excuse to carry an illegal firearm. If you do so, expect to face severe consequences.โ
