Student had pistol locked up in safe
A "talented student" who kept a pistol locked in a safe at his Wolverhampton home has been sent to a young offenders institution for five-and-a-half years.
Daniel Thompson, of Tansley View, All Saints, who admitted to having an interest in shooting, was also convicted of possessing heroin with intent to supply at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday.
The 19-year-old, who gained 14 GCSEs and was pursuing a career in the police force, was arrested on board the 501 bus travelling along Tettenhall Road on October 26 last year following a disturbance in Sweetman Street, Whitmore Reans, earlier that day.
The Colt automatic loading pistol was found locked in a safe at his home. Officers also discovered Class A drugs and paraphernalia, including bags and scales, on top of his wardrobe, as well as ammunition for the pistol. Thompson was found guilty of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply at an earlier hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court and pleaded guilty yesterday to a further charge of possession of a prohibited weapon and having ammunition without a licence.
The court was told the teenager had been given the pistol as a present from his father around four years ago.
Kate Thomas, prosecuting, said: "You had an interest in target practice and the firing of weapons.
"Your girlfriend bought you a replica gun that cost £407.50. She knew you had an active interest in guns.
"Someone who has an interest would know it was illegal to have something like that." In court Thompson said he had not used the weapon for two years.
"The average teenage boy has an interest in many things," he said. "I had a hobby in guns."
John Attwood, defending, said: "I accept he had interest of sorts in guns.
"Lots of lads have an interest in macho things.
"He was a talented student and still is, and had high hopes of going into law or the police."
Passing sentence, Judge Nicholas Webb told the 19-year-old: "I have no doubt you knew this pistol was a prohibited weapon. You are on the fringes of some serious crimes."
Det Con Narinderjit Sandhu, from Bilston Street police station, said after the case: "This sentence sends out a strong message that we will not tolerate the supply of illegal drugs and the possession of firearms in our city.
