A "suspicious" passenger who left an air-powered revolver and ammunition in the back of a taxi has appeared in court.
Kyle Simm, 39, of Elleray Drive in Dingle, pleaded guilty to two charges relating to the possession of a firearm, and two charges relating to the possession of ammunition at Liverpool Crown Court today, November 2.
The firearm, an ME38 Magnum self-contained gas cartridge revolver, was discovered when Merseyside police officers pulled over a private hire taxi, on Eaton Road, West Derby, at around 8.15pm on Friday, September 29. Officers believed the passenger was "behaving suspiciously" and when speaking to them police noticed a bag in the taxi.
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The man then ran away from the scene before police could stop him. Officers looked inside the bag and found the revolver, along with four rounds of Remington brand .22 rimfire cartridges and over £100 in cash.
Judge David Potter warned Simm: "The sentence in this case is inevitable. It must be an immediate custodial sentence."
Simm will be sentenced at the court on November 17.
Inspector Michael McEvoy said: "Merseyside Police pro-actively investigates serious organised crime including the use of guns in our cities and is relentless in its pursuit to remove any dangerous weapons from our streets. If you know anything about the storage, movement or use of such weapons, please come forward directly or anonymously via Crimestoppers.
"It is vital that members of our communities come forward with such information so we can make Liverpool stronger, safer and secure. If you have any information about dangerous weapons in your community you can pass on any information via DM @MerPolCC, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress."
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