David McDonald, 20, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 35 months in prison after his DNA was found on a Fanta can in an elderly man's home in Walton, Liverpool. The property was used for drug dealing, and police recovered 256g of cannabis worth up to £3,840, nearly £4,000 in cash, and a mobile phone used to send flare messages advertising heroin, cocaine, and cannabis.
Firearm and Drug Stash Discovery
In a separate incident, a Ceonic blank-firing pistol converted to discharge 9mm cartridges was found in a bag in a rear yard of a property on Hornby Road, Walton. McDonald's DNA was detected on the weapon and the bag strap. The same property yielded 54 wraps of heroin and 12.1g of the class A drug, with Francis Harrison's fingerprints on the packaging.
Prosecutor Graham Pickavance told Liverpool Crown Court that police attended the Hornby Road address on April 25, 2024, after reports of cuckooing. Officers arrested Ryan Humphries as he tried to re-enter the property.
Violent Brawls and Weapon Offences
Harrison, 21, also of no fixed address, was involved in two violent incidents. On June 23, 2024, he used a cosh to hit others on the head at Maghull North Station after a fight on a Merseyrail train. On February 28, 2025, he brandished a knife on Stanley Street in Liverpool city centre, handing it to an associate who also waved it.
Harrison pleaded guilty to possession of heroin with intent to supply, two counts of affray, possession of an offensive weapon, and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.
McDonald's Criminal History
McDonald had previous convictions: a youth referral order for possession of class A drugs with intent to supply in July 2022, and four years for possession of a pump action shotgun in January 2025. His counsel Daniel Travers argued that there had been an unsatisfactory delay in proceedings, noting that McDonald had already spent two years in custody. He said: "It was clear before his [2025] sentencing date that there was a forensic link to both the firearm and the drugs. I pose the question, how much longer would he have got than four years, if he were being sentenced for both?"
Judge Dennis Watson KC acknowledged that McDonald's DNA on the firearm could have been placed when he was 17, and sentenced on that basis. He described the drug operation as "a very significant street dealing operation" and noted McDonald's significant role.
Humphries' Involvement
Ryan Humphries, 19, of Riverside Close, Bootle, admitted possession of heroin, cannabis, and cannabis resin with intent to supply. He was arrested on September 13, 2024, while smoking cannabis and carrying £1,000 and three ringing phones. A search of his home uncovered 38.59g of cannabis. He will be sentenced on Monday next week.
Humphries had previously received an eight-month suspended sentence for affray related to the Maghull North Station incident. His barrister Brendan Carville said Humphries was 16 days into his 17th birthday when arrested and had witnessed the fatal shooting of his friend Ellis Cox.
Harrison's Mitigation
Katy Appleton, defending Harrison, said his family home had been subjected to a targeted shooting and he suffered from PTSD after witnessing the fatal shooting of Ellis Cox. She stated: "Both pre-sentence reports refer to Mr Harrison being exploited and vulnerable. The defendant has abstained from taking drugs while in custody."
Harrison was using cannabis to excess and accrued a significant drug debt, leading to threats of violence. He intends to remain drug free and is supported by his family.
