News story

London woman imprisoned for longer after firearms found at her flat

Kelly Smith has had her sentence increased at the Court of Appeal following intervention by the Solicitor General, the Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP

Royal Courts of Justice

A woman from Wood Green found in possession of firearms and live ammunition will be jailed for longer after the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, referred her sentence for being too low.

On 4 February, the police attended the flat of Kelly Smith, 45, in Wood Green, North London. During the search, police officers found a suitcase on the balcony of the flat. It contained a sawn-off shotgun, pocket revolver, unfired cartridges and multiple rounds of ammunition. A blue stab-proof vest was also found in her kitchen cupboard.

The offender was arrested a short time later and interviewed by police. Smith admitted possession of the suitcase, but said she was unaware that it contained the weapons and that she had been pressured into accepting custody of it. However, she accepted that she had received it in circumstances where, the prosecution said, it was obvious that the purpose was serious criminality.

On 21 April 2020 Smith was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment at Wood Green Crown Court. After the Solicitor General’s intervention, the Court of Appeal today increased her sentence to 4 years’ imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing the Solicitor General said:

Possessing weapons of this nature creates a danger for the general public. I hope this revised sentence sends a clear message to anyone harbouring illegal weapons, that when you are caught you will spend many years in jail.

Published 16 June 2020