A biker connected to the gang at the centre of the Gerry Tobin murder investigation was sentenced to 12 years in prison for stashing an “armoury” of weapons in his home.
David Melles (52), an associate of the Outlaws gang, was sentenced on November 14, but reporting restrictions were applied until the verdicts were in on the trial of six men accused of murdering the biker.
Melles was a passenger in a car pulled over by police in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, in March, as they investigated Tobin’s murder, Gloucester Crown Court previously heard.
Intelligence received by officers said two rival gangs, the Outlaws – of which the seven convicted men were members – and The Patriots, were set to clash in the Forest of Dean town.
Searching the Renault car, a jacket marked with the Outlaws emblem was discovered so officers executed a search warrant at Melles’ home in Selsley, Stroud.
Crown prosecutor Sarah Cavender said a horde of weapons, including sawn-off shotguns, a derringer pistol, dum-dum bullets and other ammunition was discovered hidden in bags and under mattresses.
Grandfather Melles pleaded guilty to ten counts of possessing firearms earlier this year.
Judge Martin Picton said: “You possessed what could not unreasonably be described as an armoury of illegal weaponry.
“That only has relevance to criminal activity, because there can never be a legitimate reason for items of this kind.
“They were dotted around your home, hidden under mattresses and in bags. It’s a terrifying range of prohibited criminal items.”
Kanan Siva, defending, said Melles only went on ride-outs and to parties with the Outlaws, and was not involved in any gangland or criminal activity.
