A TEENAGER jailed for gun possession after his dad shopped him to the police is back home.

Paul Metcalfe was sentenced to three years at a young offenders institute in June 2008 for storing a gun and bullets in his bedroom for a gang.

He was arrested after his dad Neil Metcalfe, of Hib-son Road, Nelson, turned him in.

Paul was released on licence last month and is now living with his mum in Nelson.

Neil said his son had changed for the better and was pleased to be able to spend Christmas and New Year with his family.

Paul was jailed at Burnley Crown Court after admitting possessing a gun without a licence and 11 bullets.

He was told by the judge that he had only escaped the mandatory five-year sentence for possessing a gun because of ‘exceptional circumstances’.

Speaking to the Lancashire Telepgraph, Neil said: “I don’t think anyone could spend 18 months in prison and not be changed.

“He has definitely changed in some ways – for the better.

“He’s looking for work and trying to get his life back on track.

“I think he will take anything with the way things are at the moment.

“He did two weeks at a printing place but it was only temporary.

“It is better than nothing but it isn’t permanent.”

Paul spent Christmas 2008 at Lancaster Farms young offenders’ institution.

He also turned 21 while behind bars.

But Neil said his son’s release on licence after 18 months came just in time for the festive period.

He said: “He enjoyed his Christmas dinner because his last one was a load of rubbish.

“He’s trying to get back to being used to the outside.

“I think that’s the hardest thing at the moment.”