A MAN who stored a shotgun at his ex-partner's apartment while he was 'between homes' has been jailed for 10 months.
Marc Mooney admitted possessing the double-barrelled shotgun without a certificate, and also possessing cocaine with intent to supply the Class A drug.
Both the gun and drugs were found following searches of properties linked to the 33-year old on November 23, 2017.
Belfast Crown Court heard planned searches were carried out at a storage unit rented by Mooney, from Rhanbuoy Park in Carrickfergus on the Saintfield Road in Belfast and at a flat in Dunmurry.
A lawyer said that a 12-bore double-barrelled shotgun was located in a bag in the en-suite bathroom of the flat, whilst 99.45 grams of cocaine valued around £1,000 was found in the storage unit.
Also found were a blender and tubs bearing traces of cocaine and the cutting agent Benzocaine, as well as two hydraulic presses.
Mr Jenkins described the drug-dealing as a "small-scale operation" to friends, and said there was "no connection" between the drugs and the gun.
Mooney, a father-of-three was arrested and interviewed in December 2017, and gave a largely 'no comment' response. When interviewed the following year he said he had left the gun in his ex-partner's flat as he was 'between homes.'
He also denied the hydraulic presses were linked to the cocaine, pointing out only one was working which he said he used for his work in the car trade.
Regarding the shotgun, Mooney claimed he bought it from a friend for £500 and said he was planning to use it to shoot clay pigeons and intended to get a relevant licence.
A defence lawyer said Mooney accepts that "the last four years has been a struggle, with him using cocaine" adding that he never profited from distributing to a small circle of friends.
