Police make discovery in man bag as boys seen 'running for their lives' from chippy
The teens vaulted over garden fences as they made a 'frantic and desperate' bid to escape with a sawn-off shotgun
A sawn-off shotgun was discovered inside a man bag after the police spotted a gang of teens "running for their lives" away from a chip shop. Mason Hoey and David McDonald fled at the sight of the officers outside the takeaway and vaulted over a series of garden fences in a "frantic" bid to escape.
The reason for their desperation soon became clear however, with the loaded firearm quickly being found hidden inside a bag which they had stashed inside a wheelie bin. Both were aged only 17 at the time, being a matter of months shy of their 18th birthdays.
Liverpool Crown Court heard this afternoon, Tuesday, that police officers were on patrol in the Walton area on the evening of June 16 2023 "due to ongoing tensions in the area" and as part of efforts to "disrupt organised crime". At around 8.45pm, uniformed PCs were travelling along Willowdale Road in an unmarked car when they saw three males outside CK Wai Fish and Chips.
David Watson, prosecuting, described how the group then "ran for their lives in a frantic, desperate manner" as the vehicle approached them. They were subsequently pursued into an alleyway off Cedardale Road, with Hoey being identified via his "distinctive" hairstyle, McDonald seen in all black clothing and a third teenager, 19-year-old Alfie Logan, spotted carrying a man bag.
Members of the public reported seeing the three "garden hopping" over the fences of backyards before making their way to the rear of Parkinson Road and Fazakerley Road. Both Hoey and Logan, the latter of whom would ultimately be cleared of possessing the firearm by a jury following a trial, were arrested in this location, where the bag was also found hidden in a wheelie bin.
It was found to contain both a gas-powered air gun and a 12-gauge, smooth-bore, pump action shotgun which was loaded with three cartridges. The firearm was subsequently found to be "fully operational" and "ready for use", with the barrel and stock both having been shortened in order to "conceal it being carried"
Logan, of Rosalind Way in Kirkdale, was also found in possession of a balaclava, three gloves and a large quantity of cash upon arrest. McDonald, of Jones Farm Road in Belle Vale, was meanwhile detained on nearby Grey Road, with the now 19-year-old's DNA subsequently being recovered from "various parts of the weapon".
McDonald's criminal record shows four entries for seven offences. He received youth referral orders for assault and theft in August 2021, possession of a class A drug with intent to supply in January 2023 and possession of a bladed article in a public place and possession of cannabis in April 2023.
Daniel Travers, defending, told the court: "The defendant's antecedents are disappointing for a young man, but there has been a change. He has not committed any offence since June 2023.
"He has been in a stable relationship with his partner for almost two years. Just after he was remanded, they had a child together. This is a young man, albeit a young man who now has responsibilities. He has got the opportunity to set up home with his partner and their child.
"He did not obtain any qualifications in school, but was recently assessed for autism and ADHD. This is someone who has obviously got some difficulties which may have meant that a conventional education was difficult for him.
"While in custody, he has told me with some genuine pleasure that he has undergone a joinery course. He has undergone educational courses. He is trusted to work as a cleaner.
"For his first time in custody, he is doing everything he can. The hope is that this is a young man who is going to do better for himself, as he is capable of."
Hoey, who is also now aged 19, has three previous convictions for 10 offences, including driving matters in August and October 2021 and receiving a youth referral order for possession of a bladed article in a public place in June 2023. Rebecca Penfold added on his behalf: "The harsh reality is that this young man has engaged in such positive work in the time that there has been a delay to this hearing. He has moved away from the area. He has moved away from any form of criminality.
"Sadly, all of that will now come to an end. He has his own learning difficulties. This is a young man who is now going to face a huge change in his life. He has shown that he is capable of a different life and very different actions."
Both defendants admitted possession of a sawn-off shotgun. McDonald, appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a grey Under Armour tracksuit top, was handed four years in a young offenders' institute while Hoey, who appeared in the dock wearing a shirt and tie under a black Berghaus coat, received three years.
Sentencing, Judge Gary Woodhall said: "Upon seeing the officers, you three immediately ran. You were described as running for your lives. You were frantic and desperate. That is because you knew what you had in your possession."
The judge told Hoey: "There have been concerns in the past about you being manipulated and exploited. Very much to your credit, I have read about what has happened since the offence was committed.
"You have distanced yourself from negative peers. In October 2023, your family chose to move area because of concerns for you and your family, particularly after your home had been targeted.
"You have worked with agencies to rehabilitate yourself. Significant progress has been made. That all places you in a positive place for your future, despite the sentence I have to impose today.
"You have grown up a great deal since the commission of this offence. You clearly have positive ideas for your future. The hope is that you hang on to those aspirations."
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To McDonald, Judge Woodhall added: "You are in a stable relationship with your partner. You now are responsible for a young child. While in custody, you have undergone courses which will affect your position when you are released.
"This was a loaded weapon being carried for no legitimate purpose. This was not simply a weapon being carried to frighten. There were cartridges loaded within the weapon."
