A convicted drug dealer was caught with a gun which he claimed was for “self-defence,” a court heard.
Anthony Newall was locked up for five years after police found the revolver and ammunition when they raided his home in Wadham Road, Bootle .
Officers discovered the .22 caliber gun, plus four bullets hidden in a cigarette packet, at around 2am on August 10 this year.
The pistol had been made from various guns and parts adapted and welded together.
Newall resisted arrest but was taken to a police custody suite, where he made no comment in interview.
Derek Jones, prosecuting, said there was no record of the weapon being used in any recorded incidents and it was not thought it had been fired.
He said: “Police believe he is involved in criminal activity and perhaps had this weapon for self defence as a result of shootings in the area.”
In 2013, Newall was attacked by two men who kidnapped him in a van.
He was struck in the head with a hammer, knocked unconscious, and then kicked on the ground.
The incident was caught on CCTV and police found him tied and bound in the back of the van, bleeding heavily with several wounds.
He was left with a depressed skull fracture, suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and was afraid to go outside.
James Hitchmough, 24, of Kingsway, Huyton , and Paul Wilson, 25, of Springfield Crescent, Huyton, were jailed for nine years over the incident.
Newall today admitted possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.
The court heard he has 52 previous convictions for 151 offences including vehicle taking, shoplifting and possession of a blade.
Judge David Aubrey, QC, said: “The possession of such weapons have an insidious impact upon the well-being of the local community.”
Judge Aubrey said the weapon may have been for either “self-protection or indeed self-defence” but said it was “no excuse or explanation”.
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/