A 31-year-old man has been sentenced at Belfast Crown Court today, Thursday 25th September, as a result of an investigation by the Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF).

Gareth Rice was convicted of possession of a firearm or ammunition in suspicious circumstances, possessing firearm other than handgun without certificate and possessing ammunition without certificate. Rice was sentenced to 32 months suspended for three years

The charges followed a search in the Kilmakee Park area of east Belfast by the PCTF on 1st February 2023

Detective Sergeant Crothers said: “We, within the PCTF, will continue to robustly and proactively pursue those who are intent on damaging our communities. I would encourage anyone with information that could assist in our ongoing efforts to contact us on the non-emergency number 101.”

You can submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/