A convicted drug dealer has been jailed for six years after his DNA was found on the trigger of an Uzi submachine gun hidden in a grandad's attic. Joseph McCollum, 39, was also linked to a second firearm used in a shooting seven years ago.
Police search uncovers arsenal
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Merseyside Police executed a search warrant at the home of Paul Wilson on Brenchley Close in Dovecot on August 30 last year. Officers recovered an Uzi-style automatic weapon and stock from a blue plastic bag in the attic, along with a handgun, 85 shotgun cartridges, four magazines, and more ammunition.
A Makarov pistol with an attached magazine was found on top of a wardrobe in a bedroom, beside a sealed bag containing cannabis. McCollum's DNA was discovered on the recoil spring, handgrip, and trigger guard of this weapon, and on the trigger, trigger guard, handgrip, magazine release, safety switch, and disassembly pin of the Uzi.
Firearms test fired
The Makarov had its serial number removed and was successfully test fired using two of seven rounds in its magazine. It was also established that this firearm had been discharged during a shooting on Pagebank Road in Dovecot in November 2019.
The Uzi, manufactured by Israel Militaries Industries, was successfully test fired in both semi-automatic and fully automatic mode.
Judge's condemnation
Sentencing, Judge Simon Medland KC said: "There are numerous occasions of people being murdered or accidentally killed by criminals who use weapons like this. You were performing a vital function for them, which helps them to be murderers and serious criminals who eat away at the heart of this city."
He added: "Weapons like this have no lawful purpose in society. Their only purpose is to support serious organised criminals. Although there is no record of you having any contact with any organised crime group, you did have contact with their stock in trade."
Defence and background
Nick Cockrell, defending, told the court: "He was not known to be involved in an organised crime group. His background and history has led him to be in close contact with some very serious criminals. As a result, he has been in possession of two very serious firearms."
McCollum, of Ulster Road in Old Swan, has 29 previous convictions for 66 offences, including 54 months for heroin, crack cocaine, and cannabis supply offences in 2021. He admitted two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of ammunition for a firearm when prohibited for life.
In the dock, wearing a blue Montirex tracksuit top, he gave a thumbs up to supporters as he was led to cells. Wilson, 61, was previously jailed for four years in March after admitting three counts of possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of ammunition without a certificate, and possession of cannabis resin.
