Man, 25, jailed for firearms offences in Wellingborough

A 25-year-old man has been jailed for six years and nine months after pleading guilty to firearms offences in Wellingborough.

The incident started at 9pm on March 4, 2021, when a man and a woman were driving through the town and they saw a group of men running out of an alleyway and getting into a Volkswagen Polo.

Worried about what was going on, they drove off, returning to Newcomen Road, 15 minutes later when they hoped that whatever was taking place was now over.

But when they returned, the Polo appeared and tried to block them in.

Daniel John Stray, previously of Wellingborough, who was known to the couple, then appeared on foot, using a pistol to try and smash the their car window.

Thankfully the couple managed to escape and were able to call police.

Later on, officers would find a knife, ammunition, shotgun cartridges and three 9mm rounds compatible with a handgun at Stray’s home address.

After a complex investigation led by the Force’s Operation Revive Team, enough evidence was collected in order to arrest and charge Stray with multiple firearms offences.

After pleading guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and of ammunition and being in possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to cause his victim to believe unlawful violence would be used against him, at an earlier court hearing at Northampton Crown Court, Stray was sentenced last week (May 27) to six years and nine months in prison.

Lead Investigator, DC Scott Allan, said: “The focus of Operation Revive is to tackle gangs and serious violence in Wellingborough and getting Dan Stray behind bars is an absolutely huge result for the team.

“People like Stray believe they are above the law and out of our reach. This case proves that they are not and that we will never give up in our aim to bring them to justice, and therefore making Wellingborough a safer place to live for our law-abiding community. 

“Tackling serious violence and firearms offences is a priority for Northamptonshire Police and we will continue working hard to take dangerous weapons off our streets and prosecute those involved to the full extent of the law.

“The team is really pleased with the significant sentenced handed out here and my message to Daniel Stray’s associates is clear – you may think you’re one step ahead of us, just like Daniel did, but one day, our patience will pay off and you too will end up behind bars if you continue with a lifestyle involving gangs and violence.”