Plymouth drug dealer had firearm and stun-gun

A GUN-TOTING drug-dealer who had a powerful stun gun has been jailed for 15 months.

Dale Hewitt, 22, was seen by worried residents with a ball bearing gun on a balcony in Devonport, Plymouth Crown Court heard.

Officers who searched his nearby home found a three million volt stun gun.

Recorder Michael Hubbard, who heard Hewitt had a criminal record going back almost half his life, told him: "You have put yourself in the first division of crime."

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But he added there was no evidence Hewitt had used the weapons while dealing drugs.

Hewitt, of Marlborough Street, admitted possession of a firearm, possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

David Gittins, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said police were called to the home of Hewitt's father, also in Marlborough Street, just before 5pm on October 12.

He said: "The witness saw him standing on the balcony. He pulled out a black handgun and held it out in front of him."

Armed officers were called and found Hewitt in nearby flats in Queen Street.

Mr Gittins said he was told to get down and arrested.

He added police found he was carrying some cannabis in his pocket and when asked if officers would find evidence of dealing on his phone, he told them that they would.

Mr Gittins said the ball bearing gun had the "required velocity" to be classed as a handgun rather than an imitation.

The court heard Hewitt claimed he was looking after the gun for a friend.

Hewitt has a criminal record going back to 2002 for breaching an Anti Social Behaviour Order and assault.

In 2009 he was convicted of affray when he was seen holding a samurai sword at the top of some stairs while shouting aggressively.

Ali Rafati, for Hewitt, said he did not think owning the knuckle duster type stun gun was illegal.

He added Hewitt used the air pistol for shooting tin cans and it was not "particularly powerful".

Mr Rafati said: "He has a six-month old daughter. The baby is brought to visit him at Exeter Prison and it has brought home to him how important it is to clean himself up upon his release."

Recorder Hubbard said the stun gun was a "pretty fearsome" weapon. He said Hewitt deserved credit for his early guilty plea and he had never received a long custodial sentence.

Recorder Hubbard said the drug-dealing charge was "relatively minor".

He said: "I am not altogether satisfied that the citizens of this city will understand the sentence I have imposed, they will think it is far too lenient, but there are other factors to consider and 15 months is sufficient."