A man accused of possessing a prohibited sawn-off shotgun has been remanded in custody after police raided his home.

Officers reportedly found the weapon inside the property in Wouldham during an operation in conjunction with the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Robert Reading appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court yesterday (Monday) after being charged with possessing a prohibited firearm.

During the raid on Friday, police seized a Birmingham Small Arms Company Single XII 12 gauge single barrel smooth bored sawn-off shotgun which had a barrel less than 30cm long allegedly belonging to the 49-year-old.

Reading, of Castle Street, Wouldham, did not enter a plea in relation to the charge but indicated the weapon used to belong to his late father.

He was remanded in custody and the case against him was sent to Maidstone Crown Court.

Reading will next appear there on Monday, October 3.

A second man was charged as part of an NCA operation on the same day when police stopped a minicab in Day's Lane Sidcup on Friday.

The passenger, Motjeva Movadi, 36, of Gossage Road, Plumstead, was arrested and later charged with possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, money laundering and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

A handgun and eight rounds of ammunition were said to have been found in the boot. Officers also recovered £1,000 cash and 16 wraps of crack cocaine.

Andrew Tickner, operations manager from the Organised Crime Partnership, said: “These were incredibly dangerous weapons which posed a significant threat to the public.

“Such illegal firearms have no place in the UK and often end up in the hands of organised criminals, who use them to intimidate and incite serious violence.

“We’re grateful for the assistance of Kent Police and remain committed to protecting the public by combating the supply of drugs and firearms into London and the South East.”