A man has been jailed for six and a half years after an engineer was left "stunned" to discover two firearms while carrying out works in Clapham.

DNA of Rashorn Evans, 26, from the Loughborough Estate in Brixton, was identified on the butt of a sawn-off shotgun hidden, along with five cartridges, in an electrical cupboard on Stonhouse Street.

The engineer, who arrived to carry out works in the electrical cupboard in October, 2020, opened the cabinet to discover the shotgun and cartridges, plus a German WW1 Jager pistol with its magazine.

He quickly called the police who retrieved the firearms and launched a specialist investigation.

Both firearms were tested and found to be viable with the shotgun having been shortened.

Police found Evans' complete DNA profile on the gnarled area of the buttstock on the shotgun.

Officers also found Drill videos in which Evans could be seen imitating holding and firing a shotgun.

Evans was found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life after a three-day trial at Inner London Crown Court.

DC Imran Hansraj, Specialist Crime, said: "Those responsible for hiding the weapons likely thought they had chosen a good spot where these could be kept undiscovered until needed for some nefarious activity.

"The quick and responsible call to the police by this engineer has very likely resulted in the prevention of incredibly serious violence somewhere down the line – even in lives being saved. We're very grateful to him for his support."

He added: "Evans meanwhile is behind bars for a significant amount of time. That is the message this sentencing sends out – if you are involved in firearms activity we will investigate, we will find you and you will go to prison."

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