Man jailed for firearms offences in Middlewich

Andrew Dawson, of Pinfold Lane, Middlewich, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday 3 June where he was sentenced to six years in prison after he previously admitted to possessing a firearm.

The court heard that on Monday 15 January, officers in Middlewich conducted a warrant at Dawson's address on Pinfold Lane, Middlewich.

Dawson was inside the address during the search of the property, in which officers located and seized a firearm in his bedroom. Also scattered throughout the living room was a quantity of different bullets for handguns and rifles as well as shotgun casings.

Dawson was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a firearm without a certificate and being in possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of a crime.

Throughout his interview, Dawson answered no comment to all questions directed to him relating to how he came to possess the firearm and whether he owned any more.

His only response was that the handgun had belonged to a deceased relative and not him.

Andrew Dawson was subsequently charged and remanded in custody to appear at Chester Crown Court on Monday 3 June, where he was sentenced to six years imprisonment. Dawson was informed by judges that he must serve the entire sentence in prison and will not be eligible for early release on licence.

Detective Constable Lauren Constable, of Crewe CID said:

"Dawson was dismissive of the police investigation from the early stages and later tried to claim the gun had been left inside the address by a deceased relative; information obtained suggested otherwise. The Crown Court clearly did not believe his lie and he has received a significant sentence.

“I also hope this result provides some reassurance to the community that criminals such as Dawson have no place in our county and anyone with any concerns relating to firearms should contact Cheshire Police immediately."

Detective Sergeant Ryan Ogden added:

"I'm pleased to say that gun crime in Cheshire is rare, however it's concerning that Dawson was still able to acquire a live firearm; his motives for doing so were never discovered.

"We will always treat information about illegal firearm possession with the strictest confidence and will always take swift positive action. I would always encourage members of the public to report anything which causes them concern."