A group of three men were stopped in a van with a pistol, pepper spray and knives.

Prosecutor Anna Fitchett told Oxford Magistrates’ Court that the group were stopped in a van on Massey Close, Headington, on January 10 last year. The weapons were found ‘in their possession’.

Appearing before the court on Tuesday, Hamza Al-Rabia, 26, of Van Diemans Lane, Oxford, admitted possession of a 6mm blank-firing self-loading pistol. His brother, Ahmed Al-Rabia, 24, pleaded guilty to possession of the imitation pistol, a hand axe and a 10-inch ‘Bowie’ combat knife.

A third defendant, Shahabudin Danesh, 25, of Milliners Way, Luton, admitted possession of CS spray, cannabis and an axe.

They were bailed to return to court on August 31 for sentence.

Prosecutors offered no evidence against a fourth man.

Read more from this author

This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward