Two men have been sentenced today for firearms offences and a drugs conspiracy.
Officers on patrol in Huyton in January this year stopped a Range Rover Evoque being driven by Andrew Webb at the junction of Roby Road and Pilch Lane East.
As an officer attempted to search Webb he assaulted the officer and made off on foot.
A search was carried out of the surrounding area and half a kilogram of Heroin was recovered by Police. Enquiries revealed that a Range Rover Vogue, registered to Thomas Penrith, had been seen in the nearby area.
A short time later the car was seen in Shop Road in Knowsley and Webb and Penrith were seen standing next to it. Both men were arrested.
A search was also carried out at a property on Shop Road. Within the property an open suitcase was found with three firearms, a large quantity of drugs and a large quantity of cash. A further firearm was recovered from within Webb’s home address. Webb and Penrith were both arrested.
Following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court Andrew Webb, 46, of Shop Road, Knowsley, was found guilty of possession of a section 5 firearm with intent to endanger life x 4, possession of section 1 ammunition with intent to endanger life, possession of Cannabis with intent to supply. He also plead guilty to conspiracy to supply Heroin.
He was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.
Thomas Penrith, 34, of Meyrick Road, Croxteth, was found guilty of possession of a section 5 firearm with intent to endanger life x 3. He also plead guilty to conspiracy to supply Heroin.
He was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.
Detective Inspector Alyson Keenan said, “What started out as a routine stop search of a car culminated in the recovery of firearms and a significant quantity of drugs and cash.
“Webb attempted to make off from officers when he was stopped but was tracked down very quickly and arrested alongside Penrith.
“We believe we’ve disrupted a significant drugs supply line and removed potential lethal firearms, which could be used to cause fear and intimidation, from the streets of Merseyside.
“We want this positive work to continue and for us to be able to put those responsible for spreading misery in our communities behind bars where they belong.
“Have you got information about who is storing or using weapons in your area? Do you know the people responsible for dealing drugs? Tell us who they are and let us do the rest.”
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Main image: (L-R) Thomas Penrith and Andrew Webb
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