A North East man who shared an image of himself online brandishing a gun has been jailed. Tyler Davidson also published remarks on Snapchat stating: "I want to shoot them", and "if he were to get close I'd shoot the face off him." Davidson claimed he'd "do a Raoul Moat" in the messages, which his barrister described as being full of "bravado."
Police interception and discovery of pistol
Davidson was apprehended "storing" a pistol and six rounds of ammunition after police intercepted an MG vehicle following a reported firearms incident in Grangetown, Teesside. Annelise Haugstad, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court that police were investigating the alleged incident on July 31, 2025.
The pistol - which was discovered in the footwell of the vehicle - was a Carlos 9mm self-loading model. Davidson's DNA was recovered on 9mm bullets found in a bag in the car when it was stopped in Windsor Court.
Shotgun found in woodland
Days afterwards, on August 4, police uncovered a bag containing a sawn-off shotgun in woodland on South Road in Norton. The 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun was found a mile from Davidson's former address on Swale Road, the court heard, reports Teesside Live.
The search of the woodland in Norton saw a substantial area sealed off by Cleveland Police officers. More than a dozen police vehicles and unmarked vehicles attended the scene over a four-day period.
"The defendant's mother's DNA was on the strap of the bag. There was mixed DNA on the firearm itself", Ms Haugstad said. Davidson, 30, shared another selfie on social media, the court heard, with his hand in a cast.
"Blew fingers off with a shotgun" he wrote. Davidson, of Rochester Road in Stockton, pleaded guilty to possessing prohibited firearms. He has previous convictions for affray and robbery.
Mitigation and sentencing
In mitigation, Dan Wilberforce, said that his client was "storing" the weapons in return for payment. "He says he didn't intend to use them" the defence barrister told the court.
"Nor did he use them. He posed with the firearm in his home. He accepts he made reckless messages whilst under the influence. He says that it was bravado. There's no evidence either firearm was discharged."
Davidson was "exposed to violence" as a youngster, his barrister stated. "He fled the home with his mother to a refuge. He didn't finish school and he started to take drugs."
Davidson's partner watched from the public gallery - "she's the mother of his children and they visit him regularly" Mr Wilberforce added, "he's been on remand for some time now."
Judge Peter Armstrong stated that he acknowledged that "the threats were made out of bravado" but that Davidson must have realised that "there was a high risk" of the weapons "being used by others for criminal purposes."
Davidson was jailed for six years. Following the sentencing Detective Superintendent Stuart Hodgson, from Cleveland Police, revealed that the weapon had been "deliberately concealed" in woodland. Davidson was "showing off, taking photographs" of himself holding weapons "that would ultimately be used against him in evidence at court" DS Hodgson stated.
He continued: "I must acknowledge the discovery and subsequent recovery of three viable firearms that had been deliberately concealed and hidden away in woodland. This is significant in our commitment to protect members of the public and our communities from the serious violence and harm caused by firearms and often their association with serious and organised crime."
"Information and intelligence are key to being able to remove firearms from the hands of dangerous criminals. I would take this opportunity to encourage anyone who has information to come forward as soon as possible."
"If you feel reticent to speak to police you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling on 0800 555 111 or by visiting their website."
