Over £3,000 worth of cannabis and a stash of weapons were found inside a man's Bishop Auckland home when police responded to a "disturbance".
Police officers were called to Paul Tomlinson's home on July 19 this year after an argument broke out between him and his partner. But when officers conducted a search of his property, over 400g of cannabis and a number of high-powered air-rifles were discovered.
Tomlinson, who was prohibited from possessing firearms for life following a prison sentence in 2001, appeared at Durham Crown Court via link from HMP Durham on Monday. The 48-year-old was sentenced for possession of cannabis with intent to supply, counts of possession of a prohibited weapon and for offences relating to being a prohibited person in possession of firearms. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.
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Paul Rooney, prosecuting, said police went to Tomlinson's home and arrested him after responding to a call out. He said: "The house was searched and a number of firearms were recovered." A number of air-rifles and "detachable sound moderators" were found, along with a quantity of air-rifle ammunition. Mr Rooney said 403g worth of cannabis was also found, which had a street value of £3,920. He added that the weapons were examined and an expert determined some were "dangerous firearms".
The court heard that Tomlinson said he used the weapons for "vermin control" and said he also used them for shooting on private property. He also pleaded guilty to possession of the cannabis on the basis that he was supplying solely to his girlfriend in an attempt to prevent her from using "harder drugs". Mr Rooney said that he was nevertheless "deriving some benefit of the supply".
Tomlinson had 16 previous convictions for 42 offences, including a conviction for possession of a noxious liquid. In 2001, he had also received a six year prison sentence and was banned from possessing firearms for life.
In mitigation, Amrit Jandoo, said Tomlinson, of The Fallows, Cockfield, Bishop Auckland, had been living with his partner at the time of the incident. He said: "They had an argument and the police were called following the disturbance. That's how these things were recovered. He was not using weapons at all during the incident and no public harm was caused. It was simply as a result of the police entering the address and a search being carried out." Mr Jandoo added that Tomlinson is a carer for his long term partner who suffers from "medical problems" and is "gravely ill".
Recorder Thomas Moran jailed Tomlinson for five years.
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