HGV Driver Jailed for Smuggling Handgun at Holyhead Port

A lorry driver was sentenced to six months in prison after being caught with a handgun at Holyhead Port. Lonel Andrei Manciu, 28, told authorities he had the weapon to “frighten off immigrants” who had threatened him in France. 🚚

Border Force officers discovered the handgun and ten blank bullets hidden in Manciu’s underwear when they stopped him on February 5 this year. Manciu had been delivering parcels to Ireland and was heading to France when he was intercepted.

Prosecutor Elen Owen told Caernarfon Crown Court that Manciu initially claimed it was a fake handgun, but investigations revealed it was a real firearm. Manciu admitted he had bought the weapon in a shop in France the previous week because he was “constantly encountering migrants who would threaten to harm drivers.”

The 28-year-old Romanian national, whose address was given as Caernarfon Police Station, pleaded guilty to being knowingly concerned in fraudulent evasion of prohibition/restriction on prohibited weapon/ammunition.

Defence lawyer John Wyn Williams highlighted that Manciu had no previous convictions, had entered an early guilty plea, was a hard-working man supporting his family in Romania, and was remorseful. He also noted that Manciu suffered from physical and mental health problems, including ADHD, and was assessed as a low risk of reoffending.

Judge Nicola Jones described the incident as “out of character” and noted that Manciu had never attempted to fire the gun. Manciu claimed that someone close to him – another HGV driver – had been murdered by a migrant in France, although there was no corroboration of this claim.

“However, the UK, England and Wales, has very strict gun laws to protect those people who reside within these borders,” Judge Jones stated.

The court ordered the destruction of the handgun and imposed no further costs.