A MAN who has admitted having a pistol and ammunition hidden at his home was today warned he is facing a prison sentence of at least five years.
George Swainston appeared at Durham Crown Court for a plea hearing on charges stemming from the recovery of a 9mm self-loading pistol and ammunition from his home on Sherburn Road Estate, in the Gilesgate area of the city.
It followed a visit by police armed with a search warrant to the premises, in Goodyear Crescent, on Tuesday, November 17.
Thirty-one-year-old Swainston pleaded 'guilty' to illegal possession of the Tariq-make pistol and ammunition.
His barrister, Michael Graham, asked for sentence to be adjourned to allow background probation reports to be prepared on Swainston.
Judge Christopher Prince agreed, and warned Swainston of the minimum five-year term recommended in sentencing guidelines.
He told him, however: "That is the minimum, but I am obliged to consider if the offence merits a longer term."
The judge remanded Swainston in custody, to be brought back for sentence on Friday February 12.
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