A man who was spotted by a CCTV operator to be in possession of a gun in Dalston has been jailed for four years.

Warren Meade, of Paragon Road, Hackney, told police that he wanted to “get some respect” from a group he had been feuding with.

Meade, 32, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and possession of a firearm when prohibited for five years, at Wood Green Crown Court on Tuesday.

In the early hours of February 18, Meade was spotted by Hackney Council CCTV having a heated discussion with a number of men in Gillett Square.

At about 2.30am Meade left the location and walked across the square to some steps. The CCTV operator followed him on the cameras and saw Meade put his hand to the front of his waistband and lift his coat up.

He then swiftly moved an object, which operators thought looked like a firearm, into the left side of his jacket and he placed his left arm there. At this point the CCTV operator contacted police.

Meade then went back to Gillett Square and had another heated discussion with the same men. He then left the location and boarded a 149 bus in Kingsland Road.

Officers attended the scene and followed the bus Meade was on. After a few minutes Meade got off further down Kingsland Road. Officers stopped and searched Meade, found the firearm and arrested him at about 3am.

Meade told the arresting officers: “It’s not real, I just took it there in order to show a couple of people it to get some respect.”

The firearm was sent to a laboratory to be examined and it was found to be an Ekol Special 99 – a live firearm.

Det Cons Neha Mehta, the investigating officer, said: “This operation has ensured that a firearm has been taken off the streets of Hackney.

“Gun crime has a devastating affect on communities and families. Anyone found to be involved in the storing or use of lethal firearms will face a significant custodial sentence.

“We carry out regular, proactive operations targeting those with illegal weapons and we remain committed to removing as many guns from the streets of London as we can.”