A TEENAGER caught trying to wash gun residue off his hands while in police cells has been jailed.

Demetrius Thompson, aged 18, of Springside Close, Walkden, was arrested after a police raid at a first floor flat on December 7 last year.

Police found a silver handgun and a small amount of cannabis in a black sock under the window in the back bedroom.

Thompson was arrested and, while in custody, he was told police wanted to take swabs from his hands to check for firearms residue.

He then asked officers to escort him to the toilet, where he tried to wash his hands.

Thompson had to be wrestled away from the sink by police.

The firearm was later identified as being a self-loading pistol manufactured in Italy.

Thompson pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and was jailed at Manchester Crown Court for five years.