Man jailed after being caught with loaded AK-47 assault rifle and 30 rounds of ammunition

23 January 2025, 15:27

Clarke was found in possession of a Soviet-era style AK-47 assault rife and ammunition
Kane Clarke was found in possession of a Soviet-era style AK-47 assault rife and ammunition. Picture: West Yorkshire Police

By Flaminia Luck

A man who was found in possession of a loaded AK-47 assault rifle and 30 rounds of live ammunition has been jailed.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Officers made the discovery in the cellar of Kane Clarke’s home in the Hyde Park area of Leeds last year.

They searched the address on Kelsall Road on November 20 following his arrest on suspicion of unrelated offences.

On Wednesday, the 27-year-old was sentenced to five years in prison.

West Yorkshire Police said the AK-47 is a military assault rifle - originally developed in the Soviet Union - and is capable of firing fully automatic at a rate of 600 rounds per minute and has an effective range of 350 metres.

The AK-47 assault rifle was discovered in Clarke's cellar
The AK-47 assault rifle was discovered in Clarke's cellar. Picture: West Yorkshire Police

Clarke gave no replies when interviewed about the weapon and was charged with possession of a prohibited automatic weapon and possession of 30 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition.

He pleaded guilty to both offences when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court on December 19.

His basis of plea was that he was holding the weapon for others who he was not prepared to give details about.

Clarke
Kane Clarke has been jailed for five years. Picture: West Yorkshire Police

'Deadly purpose'

Detective Inspector John Graham, who heads the team, said: “This is a military grade weapon designed for the battlefield and is something that can have only one deadly purpose in the hands of criminals.

“It is extremely rare for firearms of this type to be found in circulation and thankfully this one has now been taken off the streets.

“We hope the significant prison term that he has received will provide some reassurance to the community and remind those who involve themselves in this type of crime of the penalties they can expect.”

He was caught with 30 rounds of live ammunition
He was caught with 30 rounds of live ammunition. Picture: West Yorkshire Police
The 'magazine' of the weapon
The 'magazine' of the weapon. Picture: West Yorkshire Police

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The gas would have to be extracted via fracking

Giant gas field discovered under UK that 'could fuel the country for a decade'

Donald Trump has been accused of 'appeasement'

Ukraine’s future at stake as world leaders gather in Munich - with Trump accused of ‘appeasing’ Putin

Una Crown

Bloody fingernails of murdered widow, 86, help convict killer 12 years after she was stabbed and set on fire at home

President Donald Trump

Donald Trump says he trusts Putin and that Russia should return to G7 - labelling Moscow's expulsion 'a mistake'

Kanye West, left, and Bianca Censori arrive at the 67th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Kanye West and Bianca Censori 'split' days after Grammys scandal - as rapper releases bizarre message

Near-Earth asteroid, artwork

NASA scientist reveals list of countries that face being hit by huge 'city killer' asteroid the size of Big Ben

'Uncle Sam isn't Uncle Sucker,' US tells Nato - as Ukraine admits it 'won't accept' US-Russia deal without seat at table

'Uncle Sam isn't Uncle Sucker,' US tells Nato - as Zelenskyy says Trump-Putin deal to end war 'must involve Ukraine'

This illustrative image shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and United States President Donald Trump (right).

Donald Trump is 'setting preconditions for withdrawing from NATO', his former advisor tells LBC

Semina Halliwell

Girl, 12, who died of overdose after reporting being raped was 'betrayed' by authorities, mother claims

Farishta Jami, 36, pictured, pledged allegiance to Islamic State and had a 'clear interest in the use of children in warfare'

British mother, 36, who tried to move family to Afghanistan to become ISIS martyrs found guilty of terror offences

Jaysley Beck, 19, was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire

Soldier, 19, 'pinned down' by sergeant 'lost faith' after his only punishment was writing apology letter

Michael Steele, who was jailed for life in 1998 for the killings of Tony Tucker, Pat Tate and Craig Rolfe, can be released from prison, the Parole Board has said.

'Essex Boys' killer Michael Steele to be released from prison 27 years after triple gangland murders

Ukraine 'won't accept any agreements' between Trump and Putin to end war without being involved, says Zelenskyy

Ukraine 'won't accept any agreements' between Trump and Putin to end war without being involved, says Zelenskyy

Naya Rivera

Glee star Naya Rivera's heartbreaking final words to her son before she drowned revealed

Kanye West

There can be no debate about Kanye West - he clearly hates Jewish people and should be challenged on it

The young man was swallowed by a whale

Shocking moment whale swallows kayaker whole before spitting him back out