An 18-year-old has been sentenced to five years in a young offenders' institute after a drone tracked him hiding a gun and drugs in a garden. Miks Uzore, of Bainton Road in Kirkby, sped away from an undercover officer on an e-bike, with their attention having been drawn to him by a strong smell of cannabis.
He attempted to dispose of the firearm and a large quantity of heroin and cocaine which he was in the process of couriering. But he later claimed he had found these items, telling officers: "I f***ed up. I really don't know what it is."
Drone Tracks Suspect's Movements
Liverpool Crown Court heard on November 9 that Uzore was seen visiting an address on Grasmere Street in Anfield shortly before 9.30pm on August 25. The 18-year-old defendant was described as appearing "frightened" when he was detained.
Matthew Dixon, prosecuting, detailed how Uzore's movements were traced using a drone. This captured him ditching his bike before running into the garden of a house on Queens Court.
Weapons and Drugs Found
Officers found a working pistol, a compatible magazine and ammunition alongside quantities of heroin and cocaine stashed in the same package. Uzore has no previous convictions.
Daniel Travers, defending, told the court: "There are positive sides to this young man. He appreciates that he has messed up, but he also appreciates he has opportunities."
Sentence and Judge's Remarks
Uzore pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of ammunition without a certificate, possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to supply and possession of cannabis. He was handed five years in a young offenders' institute.
Sentencing, Recorder Eric Lamb said: "This represents a first fall from grace and one which leads to the conclusion that, when you say you accept you have messed up, that is the situation which applies. Nonetheless, the offences that you carried out allow those distributing drugs in the wider community to be able to move drugs and a lethal weapon around without themselves incurring the risk, the risk plainly being outsourced to you."
