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JAILED: Dealers had sawn-off shotguns and live ammunition in wardrobe

Two drug dealers who had sawn-off shotguns, a stash of ammunition and a haul of heroin and crack cocaine have been jailed.

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The firearms and live ammunition were discovered at the bottom of a fitted wardrobe in the Parkfields home of Lewis Roberts after he and Shem Harding were caught red-handed selling drugs.

One of the firearms was in pieces but fired when put together. The other gun also fired. The nine cartridges were all live.

Checks by the national ballistics intelligence unit could not find a link between the haul and any earlier crimes.

Roberts, aged 22, was having £250 a month knocked off his £2,000 debt to criminals, whom he refused to name, for looking after the guns and ammunition, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard this week.

Mr Robert Edwards, prosecuting, said a passing police patrol saw a known drug user get into a Toyota that appeared to be engaged in suspicious activity in Parkfield Road, Parkfields, on January 29.

The Toyota drove off as the patrol turned towards it but was soon stopped near another police car.

A search revealed 14 wraps of crack cocaine hidden under a passenger seat.

A further 18 wraps of heroin were discovered in the front passenger door pocket while a broken golf club was in the driver's door of the hire car that had been rented by a woman for 22-year-old Harding. A search of his home uncovered digital scales, mobile phones and £465 cash.

Mr Ekwall Tiwana, defending Roberts, said: "He had worked hard since the age of 16 until he started taking Class A drugs and the habit got out of control. He stole from his family, lost his job and got into debt with drug dealers."

Roberts, from Dimmock Street, owed £2,000 and agreed to look after the two shotguns and ammunition to pay off the debt, continued the lawyer.

He added: "He has been extremely foolish and is now in a very serious situation but is young and can still turn his life around."

Mr David Iles, defending Harding, said he had been forced into dealing for the drug barons to whom he also owed money.

He added: "He felt there was no alternative after several threats that he would be assaulted."

Harding from Myatt Avenue, Parkfields, admitted possessing cocaine and heroin with intent to supply and having an offensive weapon. He was jailed for three years.

Roberts also admitted drug dealing and possession of the two firearms. He was sentenced to five years.

Judge Helen Hughes said: "You both became involved in a pattern of offending because of your own drug taking."

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