A 66-year-old pensioner who stashed a handgun and cocaine in his oven after being attacked by drug dealers has been jailed for six-and-a-half years. Richard Streets, of Thursby Drive in Kirkby, admitted possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of ammunition without a certificate, and possession of cocaine with intent to supply at Liverpool Crown Court.
Police Discover Firearm and Drugs in Oven
Police searched Streets' home shortly after 9.30pm on April 17 this year and discovered a Glock 19 self-loading pistol, a magazine, and 38 rounds of Fireball 9mm ammunition inside the oven. Also seized from the kitchen was 74g of cocaine at street-level purity, valued at around £4,000, along with a set of scales, a mixing bowl, a tick list, and 277g of benzocaine, a common cutting agent. The firearm had its serial number removed and was successfully test-fired.
Christopher Hopkins, prosecuting, said the drugs appeared to have been in the process of being prepared for sale. He stated: "The crown's case is that this is serious organised criminal activity and the defendant was providing a safehouse for the handgun and the drugs."
Debt and Threats Led to Involvement
The court heard that Streets borrowed £800 from drug dealers after a delay in his benefit payments. He repaid £400 when his benefits were reinstated, but was then told additional interest was owed. He was assaulted at home by the dealer and three others, who threatened his family, saying they knew where his partner and children lived.
Peter Killen, defending, said: "The defendant felt powerless to stop them. He had possession of the box containing the firearm for around two months. Later, the male brought drugs and paraphernalia to the house. They used his house from time to time to prepare drugs."
Military Service and Remorse
The court heard that Streets served in the Parachute Regiment in the late 1970s and early 1980s, including a tour in Northern Ireland. His daughter, ex-wife, and friends attended court to support him. Killen added: "The defendant realises that these are serious matters and the court will impose a custodial sentence upon him. He now, for about three weeks, has been an enhanced prisoner and works in refuse collection inside the prison."
Judge's Sentencing Remarks
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 18% purity, indicating that it was ready for supply on the streets."
He added: "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."
Streets, appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, was jailed for six-and-a-half years.
