‘Career criminal’ is back in prison after he was caught with a gun

A COVENTRY “career criminal” released early from his sentence is back behind bars after being caught with a gun and ammunition.

Fitz Mahony, 39, from Halls Drive, Walsgrave, pleaded guilty to possessing ammunition without a certificate, possession of a firearm when prohibited for life and possession of 10 rounds of ammunition when prohibited for life at Birmingham Crown Court this week.

Mahony, who was under police surveillance, was spotted speaking to Zahid Ali, 33, from Huddersfield, in a Coventry car park on June 11.

Both had previously been convicted of possessing firearms and ammunition and were on licence at the time of their arrest.

Surveillance officers from the National Crime Agency observed Mahony, in a black Seat Leon, and Ali, in a Jaguar.

When the pair parted company armed NCA officers stopped and searched Mahony’s vehicle and found ten rounds of ammunition on the back seat.

He was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm and ammunition.

A second team of armed officers followed Ali north on the M6. They stopped his vehicle at traffic lights on Wakefield Road, Moldgreen in Huddersfield and Ali was arrested. When he was searched, a round of ammunition was found in his jeans wrapped in tissue.

A search of Mahony’s home address by West Midlands Police and the NCA recovered a silver Kimar Power Alerm 380 revolver from a plastic garden storage bin in the rear garden.

The firearm, which is a prohibited weapon, contained five blank rounds.

On July 19, at Birmingham Crown Court, Mahony pleaded guilty to possessing ammunition without a certificate, possession of a firearm when prohibited for life and possession of 10 rounds of ammunition when prohibited for life.

Ali, whose address is listed as New House Place, appeared at Leeds Crown Court on July 20 and admitted possessing one round of ammunition without a certificate.

A 35-year-old man, arrested at the same time as Ali, has also been recalled to prison after breaching the terms of his conditional release.

Sakawat Shah, from Cloudsdale Avenue, Bradford, was convicted in October 2011 for conspiracy to possess and possession of a firearm with intent, and will now serve the remainder of his eight year sentence.

Mahony and Ali will be sentenced on September 28 at Leeds Crown Court.

Mark Spoors, from the National Crime Agency, said: “Both Ali and Mahony had been released early from prison, yet continued to commit serious crime with blatant disregard to the impact on their communities.

“They have been sent back to prison to serve the remainder of their sentences. Working with West Midlands Police and West Yorkshire Police, I believe we have stopped two career criminals who would have carried on selling and transferring firearms and ammunition.

“Tackling illegal firearms is a priority for UK law enforcement and the risk posed by the criminal use of firearms remains high in the UK.

“We are actively sharing information, taking action against those who seek to supply illegal firearms, and removing illegal firearms from criminal circulation”.

The NCA clarified that the arrests were not related to terrorism.

Anyone with information about can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.