Merseyside Police have uncovered firearms hidden in a range of unusual locations, from kitchen appliances to secret compartments built into walls. This week alone, two separate cases saw handguns discovered in unlikely household hiding places, resulting in jail sentences for those responsible.
Handgun Found in Oven
Richard Streets, a pensioner, was jailed after police discovered a handgun stashed inside his oven. Streets had hidden the firearm on behalf of drug dealers after borrowing £800 from them due to issues with his benefits payments. He was attacked by a gang and threatened to repay the debt, leading him to agree to mind the weapon and £4,000 of cocaine. Streets admitted possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of ammunition without a certificate, and possession of cocaine with intent to supply. He was jailed for six-and-a-half years.
Slow Cooker Concealment
Daniel Estridge, a drug dealer, was jailed after police found a gun hidden in his slow cooker. During the raid, Estridge made an incriminating comment, prompting his girlfriend to tell him to "be quiet and stop talking." Officers also seized cannabis worth around £10,000 and £25,000 in cash from the flat. Estridge admitted possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of ammunition without a certificate, possession of cannabis with intent to supply, possession of criminal property, and possession of cocaine. He was jailed for five years and 10 months.
Secret Wall Compartment
Members of an organised crime group, including Joshua Hayes who called himself "the Boss Man," were jailed for more than 100 years. The gang kept Skorpion submachine guns hidden inside a hole within the walls of a flat. They even arranged for a plasterer to work on the apartment to ensure the weapons could be concealed. Hayes admitted conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition, possession of a firearm when prohibited for life, two counts of conspiracy to possess ammunition without a certificate, conspiracy to supply cocaine, and conspiracy to conceal criminal property. He was imprisoned for 20 years.
Secret Car Boot Compartment
Daniel Blake, 41, was jailed after police discovered a Glock handgun and ammunition in a secret compartment in the boot of his BMW. The compartment could only be accessed using a secret button in the sunroof. Officers found the self-loading pistol, a magazine of compatible 9mm ammunition, and dozens of rounds of "unusual" bullets. Blake was jailed for five years.
Under the Mattress
Aaron Green, 30, was jailed for five years and four months after police found a silver revolver hidden beneath a mattress at his girlfriend's home in Skelmersdale. The revolver, with its serial numbers removed, was capable of firing .44 calibre ammunition. Green told police he agreed to store the gun after being released from prison because he owed a debt connected to his previous drug offences. His sentence was reduced from eight years due to an early guilty plea.
