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An SAS veteran has been locked up for two years after a gun and ammo was found in his garage at home.

The hero sergeant was pulled from secret operations in Helmand when armed police discovered the semi-automatic Glock pistol following a tip-off.

They also found 300 rounds of ammunition.

A specially convened court martial heard he had a distinguished record of bravery in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The soldier had been at the heart of some of the most fierce firefights against the Taliban and Saddam Hussein’s forces.

But last night he was behind bars in Colchester Military Correction Centre after admitting illegally keeping a gun at his Hereford home.

A source said: “This is a terrible thing to happen to a normally very good soldier’s career but justice has to be seen to be done.

“You can be sure he was not the first to take equipment home. It’s a pity it was a pistol and ammunition as this cannot be tolerated.”

The soldier may still be allowed to continue his service once released.

The Mirror has his name but has been asked not to identify him for ­security reasons.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said yesterday: “We do not comment on matters relating to special forces.”