Brothers jailed for firearm offence

Two brothers who illegally had a gun at a house in Harrogate have been jailed.

North Yorkshire Police officers executed a warrant at an address in the town on 11 October 2024. The property was searched, and a handgun, a ‘Samurai’-style sword, and live and spent rounds were found around an outbuilding.

The gun was originally a blank-firing gun, but it had been modified and therefore was now an illegal firearm.

A bag of cannabis was also found.

DNA analysis was carried out on the firearm, which showed two significant contributors: brothers Charlie and Robbie Nelson.

Charlie Roy Nelson, 31, was arrested at the location. He was charged with possession of a firearm, ammunition for a firearm, an offensive weapon, and Class B drugs.

His brother Robbie Nelson, 27, was in prison at the time of the warrant. He was also charged with possession of a firearm.

Charlie Nelson pleaded guilty, and at York Crown Court on 3 February 2025, he was jailed for five years.

Robbie Nelson also pleaded guilty, and at York Crown Court on 30 January 2026, he was also jailed for five years.

Speaking after both men were sentenced, DC Amy Webster Gonzalez, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “Thankfully, gun crime is extremely rare in our area – but we will never be complacent. These convictions show that we will do everything we can to take illegal weapons off the streets.”

• An amnesty for certain models of top-venting blank firers (TVBFs) will run from Monday 3 February until Friday 28 February 2026.