The jury in the trial of two men connected to a sawn-off shotgun found buried in a children’s play area has retired to consider its verdict.

The DNA or fingerprints of Brandon Ali and Geroge Lammie were recovered from the weapon and the black bin bag that it was buried in.

Rebecca Brown, prosecuting, said the shotgun was found buried in woodland at the ear of the playing fields off Henry Street, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, in October 2019.

Miss Brown said specialist firearms officers were called after it was found that the gun’s barrels had been shortened and it was in working order. Three shotgun cartridges were also recovered from the scene but they were the incorrect calibre for the gun.

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Teesside Crown Court heard how both men deny being responsible for burying the sawn-off weapon.

The Northern Echo:

Giving evidence. Ali categorically denied having anything to do with the shotgun when he gave evidence during his trial.

While Lammie said his DNA could have been found on the shotgun after someone had turned up at his house trying to sell a weapon.

The 21-year-old, of Hurworth Street, Bishop Auckland, and 45-year-old Lammie, of Villette Path, Hendon, Sunderland, both deny possession of a prohibited weapons.