A thug jailed for a robbery in Aigburth was handed a longer prison sentence after admitting hiding a loaded pistol in Priory Wood.
Robert McDermott, 22, headbutted and punched Joseph McDermott before stealing his wallet on March 9 last year.
Recorder Mark Halliwell sentenced him to four and a half years behind bars for the robbery, plus an extended three years on licence, in December.
But today Liverpool Crown Court heard that McDermott had also confessed to police that he knew the location of a lethal Luger pistol.
He drew a map showing officers where they could find the gun, which was hidden in a bag under a pile of stones in the wood in St Michael’s.
Judge Norman Wright said the court’s initial punishment had been rescinded and resentenced McDermott to seven years in prison.
The victim in the robbery, Mr McDermott, who is not related to the defendant, was on the communal stairs outside his flat in Livingstone Drive at around 9.30pm.
The defendant, of no fixed abode, told Mr McDermott: “I have a knife and I’m going to cut you” before punching and headbutting him.
Mr McDermott suffered bruising and swelling to his forehead, eyes and nose during the attack.
Luger pistol found in Priory Wood after Robert McDermott, 22, of NFA told police where to find it.
The thug stole his wallet, containing his driving licence and credit cards and a small amount of cash, before fleeing the scene.
McDermott, of no fixed abode, was arrested and pleaded guilty to robbery.
When interviewed by police, he indicated that he knew where a gun was hidden and sketched a map for them to follow.
Fiona McNeill, prosecuting, said he told officers that two individuals asked him to conceal the weapon and paid him £200 in return.
The gun, which was recovered with one bullet in the chamber, was not found to have been used in any previous shootings. McDermott admitted possession of a prohibited firearm.
He has previous convictions including blackmail, robbery and possession of imitation firearms, for which he was locked up for 54 months in 2012.
McDermott committed a robbery in Seaforth in 2011 when he walked into a victim’s home, stole his wallet and bit him in the face during a struggle.
Bernice Campbell, defending, said her client had been in and out of custody since he was 12-years-old and has mental health issues.
Luger pistol found in Priory Wood after Robert McDermott, 22, of NFA told police where to find it.
Judge Wright said McDermott must have been a trusted associate of dangerous criminals who were willing to use or brandish the weapon.
He said: “As is well known in this city, firearms are extremely valuable items and are much sought after by those who are more criminally sophisticated than the average criminal.
“The two individuals, whom the defendant refused to name, were criminally sophisticated individuals who were in possession of this lethal firearm, which they no doubt intended should have been utilised.
“Because firearms are highly prized, sophisticated criminals don’t just hand them to total strangers or someone they know vaguely.
“The defendant was someone who was well known by these individuals, who trusted him with the firearm.”
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/