A 25-year-old Birmingham man has been sentenced to five years in prison after he was found with a loaded gun in a car.

Kieron Chiverton was one of a number of men who ran from a Volkswagen Golf when it was stopped by police in Kitts Green.

The car had been driving at speed and was pursued by police until it finally pulled over in Fordfield Road.

Following a short foot chase, Chiverton was found hiding in a tree. A nearby bag was found to contain a Baikal 9mm loaded handgun.

Chiverton, of Kitts Green, pleaded guilty to possession of the firearm and ammunition. He was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court to five years in prison for the firearm possession and two years concurrent for the ammunition.

The officer in the case DC Rob Gough, of West Midlands Police CID, said, "Today we have taken a very dangerous offender off the streets.

"We do not know the motive for Chiverton carrying the firearm but it was loaded and had the ability to cause serious injury or death."

* Anybody with information on people who may have firearms are asked to contact West Midlands Police on the new non-emergency number 101. Alernatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.