Young Birmingham dad's 'incredible story' about why he had 'killing machine' in backpack

A young dad had an 'incredible story' as to why he had a loaded gun in a backpack he was carrying. Police stopped Antonio Balu on his bicycle on Soho Road in Birmingham after spotting him wearing gloves, a balaclava and with his hood pulled up in the middle of summer.

He gave an elaborate account about obtaining the backpack and the bike from a 'crackhead' in a nearby park who supposedly offered them in exchange for drugs. Balu claimed he ran off after a confrontation ensued.

But the story was exposed as a lie when CCTV showed him leaving his own address with the backpack and bike earlier that day. Balu ultimately confessed that he had agreed to hold the bag for someone else in exchange for cash.

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The 25-year-old, of Bryant Street, Soho, admitted possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of ammunition without a certificate. On Wednesday, November 20 he was sentenced to five years at Birmingham Crown Court.

He had been stopped on August 13 this year. Sarah Turner, prosecuting, said: "Police observed Mr Balu on Soho Road on a bicycle. They had cause to stop and search him however when they initially approached he tried to ride off on the bike.

"Other officers managed to take hold of him at which point he tried to run. A backpack was taken from him. Inside they found a converted firearm loaded with a magazine and three viable rounds of ammunition.

"Upon arrest he stated he had just found the bag and bike and taken them off a crackhead or homeless person. Whatever was in the bag was not his. He was wearing gloves, a balaclava and his hood pulled up despite officers describing it was 25 degrees (Celsius)."

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Balu gave a more elaborate version of his account in interview until he was shown CCTV which 'disproved' it. Judge Anthony Potter described it as an 'incredible story'.

He added: "I'm prepared to accept, apart from this significant blot in respect of your conduct, you have acted as a good and committed father to your children. I take into account the impact your incarceration will have on them.

"It is something you should have considered over and above any short-term financial need when you entered into this transaction. The courts will always take a grave view of people who become involved in weapons and a particularly grave view of those who carry loaded firearms, which are effectively killing machines."