A gun smuggler caught bringing 60 firearms into Kent - in what is thought to be the largest seizure of lethal weapons at a UK port - has been jailed.

Border Force stopped Robert Keogh's Volkswagen Passat at Dover's Eastern Dock en route from Calais at 5am on August 2.

A vehicle search revealed a Turkish-manufactured Zoraki blank firing handgun, with a barrel converted to fire live ammo in the car's rear left quarter panel.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) then unearthed another 59 firearms hidden in the bumper and both rear quarter panels, with his phone showing evidence of him travelling to Turkey.

Keogh, from Clonee, County Meath in the Irish Republic, had earlier admitted illegally importing firearms at Canterbury Crown Court.

Today, Judge Rupert Lowe told the 37-year-old: "These were obviously destined for criminals to shoot and threaten people with.

"If you had not been stopped it is likely that numerous people would have been threatened, and perhaps some shot, by criminals using the illegal prohibited weapons that you were knowingly bringing into the country."

Prosecutor Serena Gates explained when unemployed Keogh was quizzed by Border Force he said he had "just been around".

He would go on to tell police he was placed under duress after racking up a gambling debt, she added.

The former-business analyst, who lives with his mum, told officers criminals promised to pay 10,000 euros for importing the 9mm pistols.

The court heard when police tested 10 of the weapons - they all fired effectively.

Keogh served a 12-month prison spell last year on four deception charges and two for theft, the court heard.

Mitigating, Paul Hogben said his client played a "courier role" after "falling into the wrong hands" and entered an early guilty plea.

"This man has a serious gambling addiction and substance abuse. It is clear he has made some effort to get to grips with both.

"He fell into the wrong hands while serving his latest prison sentence.

"Since being remanded he has been working in the kitchen in a trusted role."

Jailing Keogh for nine years Judge Lowe added: "You decided to earn money by taking part in very high risk gun smuggling not very long after your last sentence."

Keogh remained emotionless as his sentence was passed.

Listen to today's news podcast to hear what the National Crime Agency thinks of the sentencing.

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