TWO men have been jailed for more than 10 years after officers were threatened with a gun when they approached a car in Marston Green.
Andrew Beckett and Antony Briscoe were inside the vehicle which was parked in the middle of the road on The Radleys with no lights on.
West Midlands Police said there had been nearby disorder less than half-an-hour earlier and a vehicle – matching the description – was believed to be linked.
Briscoe initially got out of the Mercedes as officers approached the car in the early hours of February last year. However, Beckett then pulled out a handgun and threatened officers who retreated due to the safety risk and the pair drove off.
Shortly afterwards, the vehicle was found abandoned around a mile-and-a-half away. After a search of the area police found a handgun and ammunition in a bush.
Beckett, aged 37 of The Radleys, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and possession of ammunition without a certificate.
Briscoe, 37, of Shirestone Road, Birmingham, was convicted of possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of ammunition without a certificate following a trial.
Beckett was jailed for five years and seven months while Briscoe was jailed for five years at Birmingham Crown Court.
West Midlands Police said: “Our officers are on the frontline 24/7, every day of the year, to protect the public and catch criminals.
“This can involve having to put themselves in dangerous and frightening situations, but it’s something they’re prepared to do to keep you safe.
“Weapons in the wrong hands can have deadly consequences and we’ve managed to seize another viable firearm.
“We’re running Operation Target in a defiant stand against serious crime and to take weapons off the streets.”
