Eight offenders have been sentenced in court for firearm-related crimes that terrorised communities across the North East, from Gateshead to Sunderland and Whitley Bay to Wallsend. The cases involved imitation firearms, air rifles, and other weapons, with police arresting and bringing the individuals to justice.
Gateshead grandmother targeted by air rifle
A grandmother in Gateshead was left shocked and frightened after seeing Neil Cook pointing what she thought was a live rifle at her home. Armed police descended on the area and later found the weapon and a mug of pellets. It transpired it was an air rifle classed as a firearm, but Cook was banned from having it due to previous offending.
Cook, 46, of Linden, Beacon Lough, Gateshead, also admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered after setting fire to a house in Murton, County Durham, on March 28 this year. He has 24 previous convictions, including for drugs supply, criminal damage and driving offences, and was jailed for a total of three years and ten months.
Delivery driver threatened with handgun
A delivery driver had a gun pulled on him and was told he would have his brains blown out as he tried to drop off a package. Around 10.30pm on April 20 2022, the driver went to an address that turned out to be a closed shop. He noticed Adam McDermott go past on a bicycle and stop in front of the shop, and asked if it was number eight, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
McDermott pulled out a silver handgun with a gold handle and stars engraved on the barrel. Judge Robert Adams said: "You threatened to blow his brains out then asked for his name, rank and number." McDermott, 37, of Bleasdale Crescent, Penshaw, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and was sentenced to 18 months, suspended for 18 months.
Police officer confronted with BB gun
A frightened police officer ran out of a suspect's house yelling "gun" after David Gooch suddenly produced a weapon. Gooch had seemed compliant with officers before taking what turned out to be a BB gun in his hand. The drama unfolded when police were called to Robert Street, in Sunderland, on February 13 this year.
Gooch, 32, of Alnwick Road, Farringdon, Sunderland, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He was sentenced to seven months suspended for 18 months.
Teenagers fire guns at Metro station
Teenagers left Metro passengers in fear and caused delays after firing guns on the platform of Monkseaton Metro station. John Tyas and Kai Gray were spotted waving handguns and shooting them from the hip at advertising hoardings and in the direction of people. The guns turned out to be air pistols, and officers seized pellets and two balaclavas.
When Gray was arrested, he said: "I knew it was a bad idea at the time anyways, I was not shooting at people." Tyas, of Oban Avenue, Wallsend, and Gray, of Grosvenor Drive, Whitley Bay, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. They were each sentenced to 10 months suspended for 18 months with 175 hours unpaid work.
Supermarket shopper found with BB gun
David Caley shocked a supermarket cashier when he opened his shopping bag and an imitation firearm was inside. Caley had forgotten that the BB gun was in the bag when he went to Sainsbury's to buy groceries. The 39-year-old, of Bayswater Road, in Jesmond, pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm in a public place at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.
Fining him £120, and ordering him to pay £85 costs and a £48 victim surcharge, District Judge Paul Currer told Caley: "It was a very foolish thing to do. It could have been quite frightening and caused quite a scene but I accept your explanation as to why it was there."
Teenager found with stun gun and cannabis vapes
Liam Manuel was found to have cannabis vapes and a stun gun after he aroused suspicions by running away from police in Prudhoe. Officers gave chase and detained the 18-year-old, discovering the bag in a nearby garden with a number of cannabis vapes. A search of his home, on Errington Place, uncovered a stun gun, disguised as a pen, in a drawer in his bedroom.
Manuel, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and possession of an electrical incapacitation device. He was given a 12-month community order, with 50 hours of unpaid work, and must pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
