He was warned by his girlfriend not to go before armed police shot out tyres of taxi

A man was caught couriering a gun in a taxi after his partner pleaded with him "not to go". Christopher James was surrounded by armed police officers when the car in which he was being carried was halted, after which a converted blank-firing pistol was discovered in a man bag which he had stashed under his tracksuit.

The 26-year-old was alleged to have been instructed to collect and deliver the firearm after racking up a drug debt. He now says his "greatest regret" is that he "did not listen to" his girlfriend.

Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Tuesday, that armed police officers "acting on intelligence" stopped a taxi on Walton Lane, Walton, at around 1.15pm on May 21 this year. The ECHO previously reported that the tyres of the vehicles were shot out during the incident, which occurred near to Goodison Park.

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Paul Blasbery, prosecuting, described how James, of Collin Road in Bidston, Wirral, was being carried as a passenger in the rear of the Ford Focus in question. When asked whether there was "anything in his possession that would harm officers", he replied: "Yeah, in the bag."

After the PCs enquired "what would harm them", James added "I don't know". The firearms officers then discovered a man bag hidden underneath his tracksuit top which had the "grip of a firearm protruding from it".

This was subsequently found to be a Turkish manufactured blank firing self-loading pistol, which had been converted in order to allow the firing of live ammunition and had its serial number removed. Also discovered in the parcel were a magazine and 11 9mm calibre cartridges.

These bullets were not compatible with the gun however, with any attempt at firing them potentially resulting in "catastrophic failure or injury to the firer". The firearm was also not linked to any previous discharges.

James subsequently told detectives under interview that he had "no idea of the contents" of the bag, which had been given to him by others as he was "in debt and scared for his life". He has a total of seven previous convictions for 16 offences, including being sent to a young offenders' institute for robbery and 2017 and receiving 12 months for possession of cannabis with intent to supply in 2022.

Daniel Travers, defending, told the court that his client has been "used by criminals to move the firearm from A to B" and added: "Sadly, organised criminals do use and take advantage of people who are vulnerable and put pressure and make threats to people to do things. That is how he became involved.

"His situation, sadly, is not uncommon as we would like. What was undoubtedly, for him, extreme pressure he could not cope with and did not feel able to go to the police about resulted in him doing something.

"It was only at the point that he received the firearm that he realised what it was that he was being exploited to do. He had, in his mind, no choice. He tells me that, at the time, his partner told him not to go. It is his greatest regret that he did not listen to her.

"Custody has been particularly difficult for him. He is struggling with his own mental health. This is going to be a very difficult period in custody for him.

"He is someone who is going to find it a particularly difficult and long sentence. He is fortunate still to be supported by close family and friends, who are in court.

"His mother has written a letter to the court. He is particularly anxious about her. He has supported her and cared for her and knows he has let her down greatly. There is a shame that is attached to this and a deep regret that he is going to be separated from the people he cares for for a considerable period."

James admitted possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm when prohibited for life and possession of ammunition. He was jailed for five years.

Sentencing, Recorder David Knifton KC said: "In essence, as a result of debt which you had accrued, you were subjected to threats. With that pressure and with the hope of bringing those threats to an end, you agreed to act as a courier to collect and deliver a package.

"Although you were unaware at the time of the request the nature of what the package contained, you immediately realised it was a gun when the bag was given to you. I accept that you intended to deliver it as you were asked and had no intention to use the weapon yourself.

"Firearms may be used to take life or cause serious injury. They are used to further the commission of other serious crimes. In conflicts which occur between competing criminal gangs, often related to the supply of drugs, the possession and use of firearms promotes escalating serious violence.

"This city has witnessed, in recent years, the tragic consequences to innocent victims resulting from discharges of firearms. I have carefully read a letter which you have written to me, in which you express what I accept to be genuine remorse.

"You are also at pains to stress that you are not a member of any type of gang, and you stress that you had no intention of using this firearm yourself. I have also read references provided by family members, which present a positive side to your character and which offer some hope for the future with regards to your rehabilitation once you are released."

James waved and blew a kiss to the public gallery as he was led down to the cells. One of his supporters meanwhile told him: "Love you."