A County Durham father and son have been put behind bars after a Durham Constabulary police raid found twelve illegal firearms in their family home.

Paul Anthony Glynn, 52, and his son Joseph Wilfred Glynn, 18, of Lambton Street in Langley Park were arrested in November 2022 under suspicion of possession of a firearm.

The firearms, which included handguns, shotguns, and ammunition, were seized by Police who suspected the firearms were stolen from a farm in Northumbria.

The Northern Echo: Ammunition seized from the property.Ammunition seized from the property. (Image: DURHAM CONSTABULARY)

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The pair were then handed a total of 42 charges by Durham Constabulary after the four-day investigation titled ‘Operation Mermaid’ saw the pair remanded into custody.

The Northern Echo: Image shows one of the guns seized by police.Image shows one of the guns seized by police. (Image: DURHAM POLICE)

Both were then sentenced on April 21, with Glynn senior handed a 19-year prison sentence while his son received an 18-month sentence suspended for two years and 100 hour’s community service.

Detective Sergeant Vicky McCauley, of Durham Constabulary, said the operation produced a “great result”.

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She added: “The officer in charge, Detective Constable Ruth Taylor, myself and the file builder, Kelly Proudlock continued after charge to work with the CPS and the barrister preparing for trial along with firearms experts, Nabis and CSI who were able to formulate and complete a detailed forensic strategy that resulted in DNA of all the defendants being found on some of the weapons recovered.

The Northern Echo: Image of one of the shotguns seized.Image of one of the shotguns seized. (Image: DURHAM CONSTABULARY)

“Firearms specialists Mark Outhwaite and Lee Trueman provided their time and produced some amazing documentation relating to exhibits which was invaluable in leading the barrister and judge through each exhibit to ensure the correct sentencing guidelines were followed and the final result is an accumulation of all their hard work.

The Northern Echo: Image released by police shows another seized firearm.Image released by police shows another seized firearm. (Image: DURHAM CONSTABULARY)

“It’s a great result to see these weapons removed from circulation and those responsible being brought to justice.”