Two men have been jailed after police found a sawn-off shotgun on the back seat of a BMW.

Edward Ephraim, 32, of Lennard Road, Croydon, and Adrian McNeish, 32, of Mitford Walk, Crawley, were sentenced yesterday at Croydon Crown Court.

Ephraim pleaded guilty and was given six years for possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence, and six year for possession of a prohibited weapon – to run concurrently.

McNeish, pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty and sentenced to nine years for possession of a prohibited weapon. He was out on license when arrested in 2013.

The court heard police, out on an operation targeting gangs, stopped two cars on Westcott Close, New Addington, on December 10, 2013.

Dec 11: Shotgun and ammunition found after police stop two cars in New Addington

They found the sawn-off shotgun and two rounds of ammunition wrapped in a handkerchief in one of the vehicles, which contained six people.

Ephraim, who ran away from police, and another four individuals were all arrested and charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life.

McNeish was arrested on 1 May 2014 after officers tracked him down to an address in West Hendon Broadway, Barnet. He was subsequently charged with possession of a prohibited weapon.

Investigating Officer Detective Constable Darren Eyers, from the Met's Trident Gang Crime Command, said: "Ephraim and McNeish are two dangerous individuals.

"Their intent was to threaten people's lives through the possession and no doubt use of the firearm we recovered.

He added: "These convictions serve as another reminder to anybody involved in the possession, supply and use of firearms; we will continue to actively pursue them and bring them before the courts. These are serious offences and will result in lengthy custodial sentences."

The others arrested and charged faced trial but were not convicted.