Man avoids jail despite hiding two shotguns in his home

Police searched the house where Ryan Orgill was living in the Black Country after a tip-off and found a bag in a closed drawer of a cabinet with two guns and ammunition inside.

However Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how the 20-year-old had stored the guns and ammunition for another person, who he refused to identify, as he was scared after they threatened him that the guns ‘would be used on him’.

The court also heard how although both shotguns were shortened, they were not shortened enough to fall into the five-year custody term.

Instead Orgill, who has since moved out of the area, was given a two-year sentence suspended for two years when he was sentenced this week.

He had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of being in possession of a firearm, being in possession of ammunition and possession of a small amount of cocaine.

Prosecuting, Paul Spratt, said: “He was 19-years-old at the time the offence, he is now 20. He pleaded not guilty to the offences in April, and was due to stand trial in November. On June 28, the matter came back before the court and he pleaded guilty.

“Police officers went to his address on March 25 of this year, they went to the address following anonymous information.

“When they got there, the defendant was not present but his parents were. Officers found a bag in a closed drawer of a cabinet with the two guns and ammunition inside. There were 18 shotgun cartridges. The defendant also had a small amount of cocaine, which was recovered by officers. In interview, he told officers two weeks prior someone had arrived at the address with the bag with the guns and told him to store them. He was scared of this person, he was told if he did not store them they would be used on him.

“He has no previous convictions or cautions prior to these events.”

Chanjit Jutla, defending, said: “He is very fearful of the outcome if he mentions any names. He has received threats since and he’s very frightened. He was associating with the wrong crowd, and he accepts there’s no excuse. He’s been taken away from the area, stopped using drugs – he wishes to better himself.”

On sentencing him, Judge Amjad Nawaz said: “Officers found in a bag very serious weapons two sawn-off shotguns, ammunition and a small amount of cocaine. They were something that could be used to take someone’s life or commit other serious offences.”