Firearm seized by officers
Firearm seized by officers

Three men have received custodial sentences at Belfast Crown Court today, Friday, 3rd February.

Michael McMillan (29),  pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, carrying a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of a firearm and ammunition whilst prohibited by a custodial period at Belfast Crown Court. He has been sentenced today to nine years in custody, half of which will be served on licence.

Stephen Allen (25)  pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, carrying a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of a firearm and ammunition whilst prohibited by a custodial period at Belfast Crown Court. He has been sentenced today to nine years in custody, half to be served on licence.

Jason McMillan (32)  pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery at Belfast Crown Court. He has been sentenced today to six years and two months in custody, half to be served on licence.

All sentences will be served concurrently. A Serious Crime Prevention Order has been granted against each person.

Detective Sergeant Crothers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Paramilitary Crime Task Force said: “The three men sentenced today were arrested on the morning of Saturday 6th March 2021, after the cars they were travelling in were stopped in West Belfast and searched as part of a proactive policing operation into criminality linked to the INLA. As a result of the search a loaded firearm and ammunition was recovered. We believe the men were targeting a cash-in-transit van and would have used the weapon to rob the van had specialist officers not intervened.

“This incident occurred in a busy shopping area at 9am in the morning and could well have ended in tragedy if police had not acted so effectively. Those who involve themselves in this kind of crime should be under no illusion as to our commitment and determination to identify, pursue and arrest anyone suspected of involvement in criminality and see them convicted for their crimes.”