A gun-running couple caught smuggling firearms from Amsterdam inside a locked briefcase have been jailed.

An automatic rifle and handgun were discovered inside the case stashed in the Mercedez Steven Dema was driving into Kent through the Eurotunnel Terminal in Coquelles.

The AKM Kalashnikov and Zoraki 9mm were unearthed alongside some hundred rounds of ammunition, following a joint National Crime Agency and Border Force sting.

Dema, and his criminal boss and girlfriend Chelsea Addison were jailed for a total of 16-and-a-half years at Canterbury Crown Court on Wednesday, December 2.

Jailing Addison for eight-and-a-half and Dema for eight years, Judge Simon James said: “Both of you seem to have been seduced into criminal activity by greed.

“It is apparent that you both crave the cash rich lifestyle which often accompanies serious crime.

“For personal gain you were prepared not only to assist serious criminals, but to close your eyes to the obvious. It is clear you both made quite a conscious and deliberate decision not to ask any questions.

“Such an attitude is a very valuable commodity for organised criminal gangs, who are intent on importing drugs and firearms into the country.”

The court heard Addison played a “managerial role” with close ties to gun runners higher up the chain of command when she enlisted cash-strapped Dema, who was happy to bring any old contraband into the country.

The pair planned the operation using encrypted messaging app, Wickr.

It was the third time he'd made the journey according to the NCA, though there's no proof "beyond reasonable doubt" of smuggling on those occasions.

At half past midnight on March 18, as Europe was locking down for its first time, the hopeful mule rolled up to Coquelles in his Mercedez with his eyes on a potential windfall.

It would be the last time he made the trip.

As Border Force ushered Dema into the examination garage he zapped a stricken text to Addison asking: "What's in the case?" and, in his mind, began hammering out a plan.

When questioned, Dema, who claimed he worked as a personal trainer and a bodyguard, told NCA officers he was involved with a dancer called Chelsea Addison who he hadn’t treated very well.

He said in retaliation for his behaviour she had organised for gang members to threaten him, and he had been forced to travel to Amsterdam to collect a suitcase from a car park.

Dema maintained that he did not look inside the suitcase, which he didn't even know how to open, and was going to take it straight to Addison, with whom he was in constant communication during the trip as she was checking on his whereabouts.

But when officers cracked it open they revealed the guns, alongside more than 100 rounds of ammunition.

Also, incompatible browning 7.65mm bullets were among the haul - they were intended for someone already in possession of a different kind of lethal weapon.

Earlier this year his defence of duress was dropped at trial before a jury found him guilty of gun smuggling.

The National Crime Agency's investigation had already closed in on Addison. Phone records, alongside, a laptop bag filled with money discovered inside Dema's car carrying traces of her DNA proved her involvement.

NCA officers arrested her at her home on April 30 for her controlling role in the importation.

Addison - who said that she worked as a dancer - claimed that Dema sometimes took her phone for days on end, and was making false claims to make her the scapegoat for his criminal activities.

But their stories unravelled and it transpired they had taken city breaks to Europe together, and had discussed flying business class to Jamaica and the Maldives, as well as potential holidays to the Cayman Islands and Italy.

Another individual's DNA was discovered on the assault rifle - they are still at large.

Judge James told the pair: "I am forced to conclude that you, Addison, had substantial links with those higher up this criminal organisation, whose DNA was found on the assault rifle and who you were in direct communication with before, during and after the trip to Amsterdam, which led to these firearms being imported.

"It is also apparent that you were expecting, and indeed received, substantial financial gain as a result of your criminal activity, indeed at one point you boasted of of accumulating a seven figure bank balance as a result of your involvement."

Mitigating, Charles Crinion said his client was of previous good character, the smuggle attempt was unskilled and she was groomed by a gang with promises of financing her aspiring dancing career.

He added she suffered mental health and physical issues - including numerous food allergies - and HMP Bronzefield, where she's locked up, is in the midst of a Spice pandemic.

Neil Ross, for Dema, argued his client was also unaware of what he was carrying and it is his first offence of such serious gravity. The barrister explained Dema has 15 previous convictions for comparatively lesser offences - assault for example.

Addison, 30, from Walsall and Dema, 32 from Blackpool were both convicted on two counts of importing firearms.

Dema admitted two counts of cannabis possession and having fake ID earlier this year.

Martin Grace, branch commander at the NCA, said: “This was an attempt to import two lethal guns and enough live ammunition to cause untold damage if used on the streets."

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