Masked gunmen were said to have fired shots at his daughter’s house and called her partner a ‘grass’ while demanding repayment of a debt
Gary Wells pictured when he was jailed in 2016(Image: Merseyside Police)
A grandad returned to his old ways as he sought to “protect his family” following a shooting. Gary Wells set up a £40,000 cannabis farm in his loft after gunshots were fired at his daughter’s home.
He claims to have done so in order to pay off a debt owed by her partner, who was reportedly branded a “grass” by the masked assailants who targeted the couple’s address. But the four-time convicted drug dealer was spared an immediate prison sentence today after “turning his life around”.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday that Merseyside Police were called to Wells’ home on Flemington Avenue in Walton on July 2 last year in response to an unrelated incident. However, while in attendance, officers noticed that the loft hatch of the property had been “covered and taped” in an apparent attempt to cover up the cannabis farm which was thereafter found inside.
Iain Criddle, prosecuting, detailed how this consisted of 34 plants which were growing with the aid of lighting units and fans, a production line with a potential yield worth up to £42,840. Police also seized a further 348g of the class B drug, valued at between £1,900 and £5,180, from the address, as well as £795 in cash.
Under interview, Wells would go on to tell detectives that he “was doing what he was doing because he was under pressure”. The 59-year-old later submitted a basis of plea, which was accepted by the crown, claiming that he had set up the operation after his daughter’s home on Eaton Road in West Derby was “attacked by gunman”.
These assailants were said to have shouted that her partner, a man named only as “Carlo”, with whom she shares a child, was a “grass” and demanded the repayment of a debt he supposedly owed. Wells maintains that he then began producing and selling cannabis as a means of paying off the sum on behalf of his son-in-law in order to “protect his family”.
The ECHO previous reported that armed police were called to an address on this street shortly before 9.30pm on January 26 last year after receiving reports of shots being fired towards a house. The offenders were said to have attempted to force their way into the property during a “targeted” incident, in which a man in his 20s sustained a minor injury to his foot.
The suspects were described as being dressed in black clothing with their faces covered, having arrived and left the scene in two cars. Neighbours recalled seeing “loads of motorbikes going up and down the road” before “hearing a loud bang” on the Friday evening in question.
Wells has a total of 26 previous convictions for 46 offences dating back to 1981. These include an appearance for being concerned in the supply of drugs in 2012, a four-year sentence for possession of drugs with intent to supply in 2013 and 54 months for conspiracy to supply drugs in 2016.
Lloyd Morgan, defending, told the court: “Mr Wells is ashamed of his actions. He bitterly regrets his actions. He has no previous convictions since 2016. His life has been turned around, and he does have prospects for the future.”
Wells admitted production of cannabis and possession of cannabis with intent to supply. Appearing in the dock wearing a navy blue Under Armour tracksuit top, he was handed a 12-month imprisonment suspended for 18 months.
Recorder Anna Price also ordered him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 25 days and to pay court costs of £1,000. She added in her sentencing remarks: “You felt pressure to help your daughter.
“Rather than doing so by some legitimate means, you made the decision to produce and sell cannabis to try to help her. You fully appreciate that this was not the way to help her or to deal with those problems.
“You have not offended since 2016. You have been in a stable relationship for a number of years. You are in employment. You have demonstrated remorse for your behaviour and understand the error of your ways.”