News Home raid uncovers shotgun
ONE of Goole's most violent men has been found with a sawn-off shot gun.
Thug Eugene Francis (38), was caught with a lethal BSA 12-bore on May 15 which boasted a barrel shortened to less than 28cm.
Mr Francis, who is facing an inevitable jail term, was helped to stash the weapon in a house in Goole - but was caught by the police, Hull Crown Court heard.
Mr Francis, of Heber Street has a record of convictions including kidnap, false imprisonment and aiding an abetting wounding with intent. He was once a member of Goole's notorious 'Reservoir Dogs' gang who kidnapped and tortured a Goole youth in 2001.
Mr Francis appeared at Hull Crown Court last Thursday to plead guilty to a charge possession of a prohibited firearm between May 1 and May 15, 2007 without the authority of the Secretary of State.
He also admitted a separate charge of possession of a prohibited firearm, being a banned person having served a prison sentence of three years or more.
Mr Francis was jailed for his part in the Reservoir Dogs torture after pleading guilty to kidnap and false imprisonment in 2003.
His victim, a 19-year-old ex-forklift driver was wrongly accused of stealing £20 and subjected to torture likened to scenes from the film Reservoir Dogs. He was twice thrown into the icy river Ouse and attempts were made to cut off a toe and an ear with an eight-inch knife.
Violent Mr Francis was jailed again in 2005 after admitting standing and watching his brother beat a man unconscious with a pick-axe handle, leaving him needing 10 stitches to a head wound.
In his latest court appearance the judge was told Mr Francis had already pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a class A controlled drug and was awaiting sentence.
Defence barrister David Taylor said Mr Francis had pleaded guilty before a scheduled trial.
"A custodial sentence is inevitable," said Mr Taylor. "The courts would be assisted by a pre-sentence report on Mr Francis. It will be helpful as to the length of sentence."
Mr Francis had initially protested his innocence for six months. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him in the dock of court two was Daniel Severn, of Carlisle Street in Goole, who pleaded guilty to a charge of assisting an offender.
Mr Severn admitted intending to impede the police catching Mr Francis by allowing his Carlisle Street home to be used to store the weapon.
His barrister Michael Upson gave no mitigation at this stage, but also asked for reports before sentence.
Judge Michael Mettyear adjourned the case for sentence on December 14. Both men were handcuffed and led away to cells below court and a waiting prison van.
Published on 29th November 2007 in News.
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