A driver has been sentenced to five years in prison after being stopped by officers in Brighton and found in possession of multiple weapons, including a sawn-off shotgun and knives.
Osiris Fleming-Rey, 27, of Nelson Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, was driving a black Honda Civic with false registration plates on the A23 southbound into the city when he was intercepted. Officers from the Tactical Firearms Unit (TFU), Roads Policing Unit, and Specialist Enforcement Unit performed a tactical stop on Viaduct Road after it was suspected that the vehicle may have been stolen.
Upon searching the vehicle, police discovered a sawn-off shotgun, a knife, and a lock knife. Fleming-Rey was immediately arrested and taken into custody, where he was later charged following an investigation by Brighton CID.
At Guildford Crown Court in September, Fleming-Rey stood trial, accused of possessing a firearm and two counts of possessing a knife or bladed article. He was found guilty on all charges. On October 10, at the same court, he was sentenced to five years in prison.
The court was told that the incident occurred on November 24 last year at 10 p.m. Police stopped the vehicle and safely made an arrest after suspicions were raised about the car’s false plates. During the arrest, Fleming-Rey claimed he had “borrowed” the vehicle from a “friend,” but was unable to provide any details about the person.
It was also revealed that Fleming-Rey was in breach of a suspended sentence order imposed in January 2023 for a previous offence involving possession of a bladed article. As a result, the court ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the weapons found in his vehicle, and a Deprivation Order was imposed to seize the suspected stolen vehicle.
Following the sentencing, TFU Inspector Oli Fisher praised the officers involved in the case, stating:
“This case demonstrated the teamwork and professionalism of officers to ensure the vehicle was safely stopped. The vehicle was then searched and weapons were found. These were seized by police. We are pleased that a dangerous offender and the weapons he carried have been taken off the streets.”
