Man jailed for 10 years after shotgun seized in South Oxhey

Jamie Harrowell, 37, from Sandridge, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and a further five years on licence by St Albans Crown Court on March 7.

Another man, Robert Dean, 35, from Watford, was given a 24-month sentence suspended for 18 months.

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Detective Constable Rob King said: “Harrowell had an extensive criminal history with a number of serious offences, which is reflected in his sentence.

“I hope he uses his time in prison to reflect on his choices, and that this sentence sends a strong message to those involved in firearms criminality.”

Hertfordshire Constabulary had been called by a resident in Blackford Road, South Oxhey, who reported that a van had been abandoned on their driveway on May 27, 2021.

They explained that two men had been seen leaving the van and overheard discussing a gun being fired. 

Officers arrived and identified the two men at a nearby home. Police said they gave false details over the registered owner of the van and refused to engage.

The men were arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent and then further arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition after officers seized and searched the van.

Police discovered a shotgun and several rounds of ammunition in the van.

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Harrowell was found guilty of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing ammunition with intent to endanger life, possessing a prohibited firearm, possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate and possessing a firearm when prohibited.

Dean was found guilty of possessing a prohibited firearm and possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate. He was convicted on December 22, 2022, and had been on remand since then.

Jamie Harrowell (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

Detective Constable King added that the gun had been shot inside the vehicle, and “thankfully” no one was injured.

“The seizure and destruction of this gun mean that very serious harm has now been prevented and I would like to thank the member of public for calling in their suspicions,” he said.