News Stashed shotgun leads to jail term
One of Goole's most violent criminals has been jailed for five years and eight months for possessing a gun to strengthen his arm in the drugs under world.
Cocaine user Eugene Francis (38) hid the deadly BSA 12-bore with a shortened barrel under a TV set in the drab Carlisle Street flat he shared with thief Daniel Severn, who is 21.
Mr Severn was described as living on "a slow suicide burn" of criminal offending – wasting his life.
Four live shotgun cartridges were kept handy in a breakfast cereal box in the kitchen. Mr Francis had eight wraps of cocaine on him when police swooped to nail him.
Mr Francis swallowed one, making himself so ill that he had to be taken to hospital, Hull Crown Court heard Friday. He gave no account to police of why he had the gun in the flat.
Jailing Mr Francis for five years, Judge Roger Thorn, QC, told him: "The shotgun was shortened both in its barrel and stock. That gives rise to the obvious conclusion it could only be used for criminal purposes. That criminal purpose was drug-dealing with you, Eugene Francis, bearing responsibility for it."
Mr Francis, of Heber Street in Old Goole, has a record of convictions including kidnap, false imprisonment and aiding and abetting wounding with intent - all cases with a drugs link. He has served several prison sentenced, each time coming out to commit more crime. He was once a member of Goole's notorious Reservoir Dogs gang who kidnapped and tortured Karl Lambert in 2001 when he was thrown into the icy river Ouse.
Mr Francis appeared in court on Friday for sentence with Daniel Severn, who admitted a charge of intending to impede the police catching Mr Francis by allowing his Carlisle Street home to store the weapon.
Mr Francis had pleaded 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 and possession of a class A controlled drug.
Crown barrister Anil Murray said a DNA profile linked grease from the stock and barrel to that of Mr Francis.
Mr Murray said Mr Severn had been arrested on May 15. During his release he boasted to officers: "He was going to rig up a shotgun in his flat. He was to say to police: "You will find two shotguns over there. Boom!"
He said Mr Severn returned to the flat only to find the locks changed and panicked as his landlord was evicting him. Mr Severn, homeless and distressed, blurted: "I'll get five years."
The court heard Mr Francis had a record including perjury, disqualified driving, criminal damage, and assault. He was given seven years for drug dealing in 1996. He was jailed for two years for his involvement in kidnap and jailed again in 2005 for aiding and abetting violence.
Mr Severn has a record of carrying a firearm, shop theft, disorderly behaviour and assault on a police officer. He was jailed for 12 months in March, 2006.
Defence barrister David Taylor said it was quite extraordinary police had initially missed finding the weapon in an earlier search of the Goole flat. He said Mr Francis had been addicted to drugs for a large number of years, but now inside he was 'clean'. He said the drugs he was caught with were for personal use and the case was never about him supplying. Mr Taylor said: "The period he will spend behind bars brings little comfort to his son. He knows he has wasted his life entirely. He has brought some happiness, while his relationship with women has been transient."
Defending, Michael Upson said he was under strict instructions to say little for Mr Severn other than that he was 21 and had got himself into trouble.
Sentencing, Judge Thorn told Mr Francis: "The statutory minimum sentence of five years is about right given the gravity of the case. I don't think you have reached the stage yet where imprisonment for public protection is required."
Judge Thorn ordered the destruction of the gun and told Mr Severn: "It is almost as though you are on a slow suicide burn. You have to wake up to the fact that life has more to offer than the criminal lifestyle you have been leading." He ordered that Mr Francis should be jailed for five years and eight months. Mr Severn was jailed for 18 months.
Both men were cuffed and taken to cells below court and a waiting prison van.
Published on 20th December 2007 in News.
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