Child’s 999 call leads police to Liverpool cocaine factory

Barry Dermott has been jailed for six years after his son called police 

A drug dealer’s cocaine factory was discovered after his young son dialled 999 and told the operator, ‘Daddy’s not his usual self’.

Officers were called to Barry Dermott’s home in Halewood, Liverpool, when the youngster told police his father ‘had been sniffing white powder and drinking alcohol’.

A search of the premises revealed a .38 rimfire revolver hidden in a cupboard under the stairs. 

They also found several rounds of ammunition, six grams of cocaine, 18 kilos of boric acid, a cutting agent, sucrose and other drug paraphernalia including weighing scales.

Dermot, 46, was sentenced to six years and two months in prison for possession of a firearm, ammunition and allowing premises to be used for the production of Class A drugs, following a guilty plea. 

Prosecutor Rebecca Smith told Liverpool Crown Court the boy told officers his father had ‘concealed a [large kitchen] knife near the entrance of the premises,’ during their visit on March 5. 

As police scoured the property, the grandfather of the three children arrived, shouting: ‘Where’s the f***ing gun?’, concerned the youngsters might stumble upon it.

The weapon was wrapped in cling film inside a plastic Asda bag, which was contained in a black rucksack and stashed away. 

A search of the premises revealed a .38 rimfire revolver hidden in a cupboard under the stairs

A search of the premises revealed a .38 rimfire revolver hidden in a cupboard under the stairs

Forensic analysis of the gun revealed Dermott’s co-accused Thomas Rowan’s DNA was on the firearm and bullets.  

Dermott’s barrister Michael Bagley told the court he had become a cocaine addict, was in debt, and when ‘pressure had been applied’, had allowed his home to be used as a drug factory and a place to store a gun. 

When interviewed by police, Dermott admitted he’d ‘have a line of coke and drink after work,’ but his relationship with the children’s mother had crumbled, leaving him sleeping on the sofa.

He would spend £300 at a weekend on his addiction and admitted allowing his home be used to store drugs, and would often receive text messages asking him ‘is the coast clear?’

Dermott refused to name those who had brought the drugs and the gun to his home. 

Judge Denis Watson said: ‘This was a genuine firearm. It was not loaded, but in the rucksack were five rounds of ammunition of the collect calibre to fit in the revolver.

‘That firearm had been used to enforce the wishes of a drugs supply gang or would be in the future.’

Dermott's co-accused Thomas Rowan, 24, was sentenced to seven years in prison

Dermott’s co-accused Thomas Rowan, 24, was sentenced to seven years in prison

The judge in the case said: 'The existence of this gun will cause the public huge concern and the public are entitled to protection from guns as a paramount consideration'

The judge in the case said: ‘The existence of this gun will cause the public huge concern and the public are entitled to protection from guns as a paramount consideration’

Addressing 24-year-old Rowan, who was convicted of possession of a firearm after a trial, he said: ‘You must have been involved in the organising for the storage of the gun.

‘You were trusted to wrap it…I do not make the finding you were the owner, but your role was a very important and trusted one.

‘Guns kill, maim, and terrorise, and their purpose is to undermine the rule of law.

‘The existence of this will cause the public huge concern and the public are entitled to protection from guns as a paramount consideration.’

Julian Nutter, defending Rowan, said: ‘The plane has crashed for Mr Rowan. The gun was not loaded and has not been used during the course of a crime.’

Rowan shook his head when he was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Dermott pleaded guilty to permitting his premises to be used for the production of a Class A drug, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition and was jailed for six years and two months.

His job as a seat manufacturer at Jaguar in Halewood would remain for him after his release from jail, his lawyer added.

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