Man jailed after chance encounter with police in Coventry leads to recovery of handgun
Sami Sharif, aged 33, has been jailed for over five years after being found guilty of the possession of a firearm
Last updated 21st Jul 2026
A man has been jailed for more than five years after a chance encounter with police officers in Coventry led to the recovery of a handgun.
Sami Sharif, 33, was spotted by an officer near to the Nauls Mill Underpass on 15 January this year (2026).
Sharif was arrested by the officer as he was wanted for a robbery.
He was searched at the scene and a small amount of cannabis was recovered.
Sharif’s home on Terry Road was then searched for property stolen in the robbery, and officers found a gun hidden in a shoe on top of a wardrobe.
In interview, he claimed that he found the gun in a park and thought it was a toy.
Forensic experts identified it as a parlour pistol, which would have historically been used for indoor target practice.
They can fire low-powered but lethal ammunition, and so are illegal under UK law.
Sharif was found guilty at Coventry Crown Court of possession of a firearm, and was jailed for five years and six months on Thursday (16 July).