Drug dealer kept hold of loaded gun for someone he 'couldn't say no to' - before cops found it in an unlikely hiding place

A drug dealer kept hold of a loaded gun for someone 'he couldn't say no to' - before it was found stashed in his neighbour's recycling bin. Lewis Beardall's home was searched by police, who found cannabis and other drugs, including heroin hidden in an Oxo Cube box.

A further search of the house revealed a Browning pistol in a neighbour's recycling bin, along with bags of drugs and multiple mobile phones. Beardall, 27, from Salford, claimed the firearm was for protection.

He later admitted he was keeping it for someone he 'couldn’t say no to'. He's now been jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

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Prosecuting, David Bentley told Manchester Crown Court police executed a warrant at Beardall's house in Swinton on August 12, 2021. A small amount of cannabis was found in the bedroom and living room.

A more thorough search of the house revealed 6.43grams of heroin wrapped up and hidden in an Oxo Cube box. "There was a further search of the property and found in the blue recycling bin was a number of documents addressed to himself and his partner," Mr Bentley said.

"They also found 18.11g of heroin at 46 per cent purity, along with 11.49g of cocaine, in individual wraps ready to be supplied, as well as a number of mobile phones which showed evidence of drug dealing. They also found a loaded firearm."

As he was being arrested, Beardall said: "This has just totally changed, I just had it for protection. I wouldn't use it, I just have one of those faces people start on."

The loaded gun was examined and found to be a Browning pistol. It contained live rounds. Beardall told cops the blue bin belonged to his neighbours and that many people had access.

He later