Jailed: Dudley pair caught 'bigging it up' with gun and drugs locked up for combined 12 years
Judge said two men were motivated by ‘bravado’ when they had revolvers in their possession.
Two men from Dudley who had firearms in their possession four years ago were “bigging it up” before they were arrested by police.
Leon Hickman, aged 23, from Addison Road, Brierley Hill, and Jack Wright, aged 24, of Oak Lane, Kingswinford, were sentenced for a string of offences relating to drug dealing and possessing guns and ammunition at Wolverhampton on Friday.
Judge Robert Talog-Davies said the defendants had initially denied two counts of possessing prohibited firearms and one count of possession of ammunition without a firearms certificate. They only changed to guilty pleas on the third day of their trial before a jury.
He told Hickman, who was 19 when he committed the offences: “ The revolver is a type one weapon which was being held with compatible ammunition.
“I accept that you were the custodian of these weapons on the basis of the evidence.
“You were at a low risk of harm and this was more a case of possessing them for the sake of bravado.
“I have seen your previous convictions. You committed them as part of a group, under the influence of drugs.”
Sentencing him he said he had taken note of his difficult personal circumstances and his mental health issues.
For possessing a prohibited firearm, possession of ammunition, being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis Hickman was imprisoned for a total of six years and nine months.
The judge told co-defendant Wright that his role was a case of “bigging it up”.
For possessing a prohibited firearm and possession of ammunition Wright was imprisoned for five years and six months.
Both will serve at least half the terms before being released on licence in the community with conditions.