DETECTIVES say the massive haul of weapons found in a garden shed put the wider community "at significant risk" if they were to fall into the wrong hands.

William Hesketh, 58, was given a three-year-prison sentence at Liverpool Crown Court as the judge reduced the normal minimum sentence due to the "exceptional circumstances".

Police had found the collection of weapons at Hesketh's home on Mill Lane, Sutton Leach on Tuesday, December 10, 2019.

St Helens Star:

There were 176 weapons, which were mostly in his shed, included 57 firearms or air weapons; 40 large knives or machetes; 38 air pistols; 20 folding knives; 10 swords; three crossbows; two axes; two wooden handled flick knives; two knuckle dusters; a zombie knife and a Taser, many of the items legal.

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However, Hesketh, who had previously been a victim of burglary, had kept a converted blank firing pistol under his bed, possession of which carries a minimum sentence of five years.

The court heard Hesketh had "modified" the weapon but that this had been done in "an amateurish way" and therefore "not really capable of firing a missile in the normal way".

Hesketh was arrested at the scene in connection with firearms offences.

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Following a year-long investigation, which police say was prolonged by the coronavirus pandemic, Hesketh was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday after he had pleaded guilty to multiple firearms offences.

Hesketh (pictured) pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited firearm in relation the pistol.

He also pleaded guilty to two other counts of possession of a firearm; two counts of possession of ammunition without a certificate and three counts of possession of a weapon designed or adapted for the discharge of gas.

He was sentenced to three years behind bars in relation to the pistol and to two-year concurrent sentences for the other seven counts.

St Helens Star:

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Chris Clark said: “This result shows the consequences of owning any weapon can bring. Not only this, Hesketh stored these dangerous weapons in his garden shed, putting himself and the wider community at significant risk if they were to fall into the wrong hands.

“I welcome his sentence and I hope this encourages others to tell us if they know where weapons are being kept, who has them and who is using them.”

  • Anyone who knows someone storing, buying or carrying weapons can either DM @MerPolCC , contact Crimestoppers anonymously or call 101.