Albanian found with loaded handgun outside former Prime Minister’s home

AN asylum seeker who was found with a loaded handgun outside Tony Blair’s house faces years in jail.

Vladimir Kendella, 56, of Danes Court, North End Road, Wembley, was cornered by police in Connaught Street just yards from the former Prime Minister’s residence after a car chase through Central London on December 12 last year.

Southwark Crown Court heard the Albanian managed to dump the pistol in the road moments before he was arrested, but it was later found by a neighbour out walking his dog

When the his car was searched, officers found a silencer under the driver’s seat.

The court heard after Kedella was arrested police found �600 in his pocket and a Portuguese driving license that he claimed belonged to his girlfriend.

Police discovered three further rounds of ammunition and various banking documents in different names during a search of his home.

Kendella had denied possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing a silencer with intent to danger life and possessing ammunition with intent to danger life.

He also denied possessing ammunition without a firearms certificate The jury found him guilty of possessing the handgun and ammunition, but were unable to decide whether he knew about the silencer, after hearing he had only recently bought the vehicle.

He faces a custodial sentence and will deported after he has served his term.

Judge Christopher Hardy adjourned proceedings until January 14, when the Crown Prosecution Service will announce whether or not they intend to seek a retrial over the silencer.