A bar could have its licence revoked after its licence holder was found to have stashed a gun in his oven. Richard Streets, 66, of Thursby Drive in Kirkby, hid the firearm on behalf of drug dealers after borrowing £800 from them when his benefits were not paid.
Streets was attacked by a gang of men and threatened to repay the debt. The dad then agreed to mind the weapon and £4,000 of cocaine in his home as he "felt powerless to stop them".
Police search and arrest
The licence holder for Marti's Bar in Marion Square in Netherton was referenced by Sefton Council following an application for a licence review by Merseyside Police. In the notice, the council explained how Streets was stopped by police in a motor vehicle on April 17 this year when officers noticed cannabis remnants on the front passenger seat of the car.
He was arrested and a search of his home on Thursby Drive in Kirkby shortly after 9.30pm on April 17 led to the discovery of a firearm, an accompanying magazine and ammunition inside the oven. Also seized from the kitchen was a quantity of cocaine, a set of scales, a mixing bowl and a "tick list".
Court sentencing
Streets admitted possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of ammunition without a certificate and possession of cocaine with intent to supply. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool on July 1 this year, he was jailed for six-and-a-half years.
The review listing continued to explain how Merseyside Police will state Streets is not a fit and proper person to be a premises licence holder and the licence should be revoked. The force believes Streets is "seriously undermining the licensing objectives of prevention of crime and disorder".
At the time of his arrest, a large cordon was put in place around Marti's Bar as officers searched the premises.
Drugs and firearm details
During the sentencing hearing last month, Christopher Hopkins, prosecuting, described how it appeared that the drugs had been "in the process of being prepared for sale at some recent point". When analysed, these were found to be 74g of cocaine at "street level purity", given a "modest valuation" of around £4,000 and recovered alongside 277g of benzocaine, a common cutting agent.
The firearm was meanwhile established as a Glock 19 self-loading pistol which was chambered for 9mm Luger ammunition and had its serial number removed. The recovered ammunition meanwhile amounted to a total of 38 Fireball rounds, one of which was successfully test fired using the handgun in question.
Sentencing, Judge David Potter said: "You were harbouring the drugs and the gun, having gotten into debt as a result of difficulties in the payment of your benefits."
"The firearm itself was in perfectly good working order and was successfully test fired. The cocaine was at 18pc purity, indicating that it was ready for supply on the streets."
"Family members speak to the obvious other side of your character. You have served your country with distinction in challenging circumstances. You continue to be supported by your family and have a wide circle of friends and supporters."
"I accept that you are remorseful for getting involved in this very serious crime. While you have been remanded into custody, you have used that time constructively."
"Those that harbour drugs and, more seriously still, lethal firearms and viable ammunition lend support to serious organised crime. Sometimes, vulnerable people such as yourself are pressed into service."
"Nonetheless, those who engage in this activity, whether by pressure or otherwise, lend support to organised crime and thereby commit very serious offences."
