Two people jailed for possessing firearms with intent to endanger life

A man and a woman have been jailed for firearms offences after two shotguns were found hidden in a house and a loaded revolver was later discovered in a handbag.

Donnell Morgan, 22, was jailed for 16 years while co-defendant Renee Samara Cox, 21, also was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for possession of firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

Police searched a property at Crosby Walk in Lambeth, south London on 31 March 2022 and although the house was empty, there were signs it had recently been occupied.

In the bathroom, police discovered a holdall in a cupboard which contained two shotguns with around 100 cartridges.

On 10 April 2022, the police stopped a vehicle being driven by Cox, and discovered Morgan lying on the back seat of the car.

A revolver, loaded with a single bullet in the cylinder, was found in a handbag in the front seat.

The shotguns, ammunition and the wrapping they were found in were sent for DNA and fingerprint examination.

Forensic examination linked Morgan to the shotguns, and he subsequently pleaded guilty to possession of the revolver and ammunition.

Morgan and Cox were both arrested and transported to the Police Station for interview. Both denied any knowledge of the gun found in the car and Morgan also denied any knowledge of the guns found at the address.

Morgan pleaded guilty to possession of the revolver and ammunition in the car. Both he and Cox were convicted after trial for possession of the firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life and Morgan was also convicted of the same offences for the firearms and ammunition found in Crosby Walk.

Senior District Crown Prosecutor, Daren Streeter, who leads the Serious Violence and Organised Crime Team, said: “Morgan was in possession of the shotguns as well as the revolver. Anyone in possession of that combination of guns and ammunition must have had the intent to use it, or enable someone else to use it, to endanger life. It is clear that this individual poses a significant danger to the public.

“The firearms recovered could cause devastating loss of life to the public. Such weapons should never be on our streets, and I hope these convictions send a clear message that such criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.

“We are committed to working collaboratively with law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute organised criminals to the full extent of the law.”