A MIDDLEWICH man has been jailed after a handgun was found during a police raid.

Andrew Dawson, of Pinfold Lane, was sentenced to five years in prison after admitting to possessing a firearm.

The 43-year-old also failed to provide a breath test to police, subsequently breaching a suspended sentence order twice.

Prosecuting, Thomas McLoughlin explained that Dawson was handed the suspended sentence in February 2023 after being convicted of causing actual bodily harm, assaulting an emergency worker and criminal damage.

This came following an argument with his neighbour in 2021, during which Dawson repeatedly punched the victim and struck him with a metal bar.

Dawson then assaulted a police officer as he became 'aggressive' while being arrested.

Northwich Guardian: Andrew DawsonAndrew Dawson (Image: Cheshire Police)

Then in December 29, 2023, Dawson was found by police in Sandbach in the driver's seat of a flatbed truck.

Mr McLoughlin said the key was in the ignition and there was a smell of alcohol.

Dawson refused to take a roadside breath test and refused again while in custody to provide a sample.

For this, he was charged with failing to provide a specimen while being the person in charge of a vehicle.

Two weeks later, on January 15 this year, police carried out a warrant at Dawson’s home.

During the search, officers found a P38 9mm self-loading pistol as well as a variety of ammunition, none of which was compatible with the handgun.

Mr McLoughlin explained the weapon was in good working condition and able to fire live rounds.

Amy Edwards, defending, said Dawson had 'no intention' of using the weapon, evident by the fact it was kept in a bag and had no compatible ammo.

She adds that the gun was never taken out of the property.

Judge Patrick Thompson sentenced Dawson to a total of five years – five years for the firearm running concurrently with 11 months for the suspended sentence and one month for failing to provide a specimen.

He will have to serve half of this before being released on licence.

Dawson will also have to pay a surcharge and has seen his driving licence endorsed with 10 penalty points.

Meanwhile, the handgun must be forfeited and destroyed.