Mechanic who helped supply gangs with guns given seven years

A mechanic who was involved in supplying dozens of firearms to gangs has been given a further seven years in jail.

Allan Hughes, who is already serving a sentence for drug trafficking, was caught after police seized a mobile phone with incriminating videos and messages in May 2024 - including a recording he took of himself handling guns.

The 30-year-old, from Clydebank, was in regular contact with fellow criminals both in the UK and in Europe about the sale of weapons.

He previously admitted to a charge of being involved in serious organised crime.

During sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Cubie told the court how Hughes was involved in "pre-planning, co-ordination and organisation" in the market for illegal weapons.

The judge told him: "The prosecution calculated that the value of the weapons was in excess of £200,000.

"The images and messages make it clear that you offered to provide specific firearms in your possession to various parties.

"You were apparently, on your account, introduced into this world as a result of being 'in over your head'."

Hughes, who used the nickname "Ali G", was in contact with seven individuals and corresponded about "at least" 42 different firearms.

On 3 May 2024, police had reason to seize a mobile from Hughes.

He later messaged a person on an iPhone stating: "They took a Samsung, I am down the swanny."

Prosecutor David Dickson KC explained: "The device was examined and showed Hughes demonstrating the mechanisms of three different handguns."

The weapons were said to be a Beretta pistol, a Turkish hunting firearm and a further self-loading pistol.

The short video clips - which did not show Hughes' face, but had him wearing blue protective gloves while holding the guns - were played at the hearing this week.

Mr Dickson said that between July 2023 and May 2024 Hughes exchanged messages with several individuals about guns.

Lord Cubie sentenced him to six years and nine months.

This will only start after the end of another jail term previously imposed for drug trafficking.

On June 5 2024, Hughes was separately involved in a £15,000 heroin handover with a Liverpudlian man in Clydebank.

A total of almost £20,000 was also found in this man's van.

Graeme Brown, defending, said the gun crime was "a continuation and escalation" to his previous involvement in drug trafficking.

Hughes was also given a three-year Serious Crime Prevention Order - known as a super-Asbo - designed to monitor and restrict criminals on their release from jail.

Philip Marshall, regional head of investigations at the National Crime Agency, said: "The criminal use of firearms in Scotland relies on people like Hughes who sell guns to the highest bidder without any consideration for the risks involved or the threat to the public.

"The NCA will continue to work with our Police Scotland partners to stop career criminals like Hughes who bring such danger to our communities."