Private hire passenger jailed after firearm and bullets found on back seat of Liverpool minicab

Image credit: Merseyside Police

A Liverpool man has been jailed after a firearm and bullets were found on the back seat of a minicab.

Kyle Anthony Simm, 39, was sentenced on Friday 17 November to seven years and six months for possession of a firearm and ammunition at Liverpool Crown Court.

On 29 September officers stopped a private hire vehicle (PHV) on Eaton Road, where the passenger in the back of the car was behaving suspiciously.

Upon speaking to the man they noticed a bag in the PHV, and he then ran away from the scene before police could stop him.

Patrols looked inside the bag and found a 2.2 revolver, four 2.2 rounds of ammunition, more than £100 in cash and a bank card.

Detectives quickly identified Simm as the person who had made off from the taxi and he was subsequently arrested.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul McVeigh said: “The taxi picked up Simm in Dingle and he was on his way to an address in Dovecot. This result shows how committed our officers are to making Merseyside a safer place by removing firearms and those that would use them from our streets.

“In this case and in so many others information from communities makes a big difference, so if you know where dangerous weapons are being stored, carried or used, let us know and we will take positive action.

“If you know anything about the storage, movement or use of such weapons, please come forward directly or anonymously via Crimestoppers. “It is vital that members of our communities come forward with such information so we can make Liverpool stronger, safer and secure.”