A TEENAGE girl who hid an automatic gun in her handbag on behalf of a Manchester gang member has walked free from court.
Chanelle Merryweather, 17, faced a minimum of three years in jail for concealing the Browning pistol containing two bullets.
Preston Crown Court heard she was 16 when she and her co-accused Sammy Geldard, 19, were stopped and searched by police in Ardwick.
The pair, who were not in a relationship, were walking along Stockport Road at 8.30pm on April 30 when Geldard spotted two police officers on bikes and asked her to hide the weapon he was carrying.
A member of the public witnessed the transaction and alerted police, who searched the pair and discovered the weapon. Both pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited firearm and ammunition.
Full and frank admission
Stella Harris, defending Merryweather, said she was 'not affiliated or a member of any gang' and had been remanded into custody 'for her own safety' after making a 'full and frank admission' to detectives and becoming a prosecution witness.
Merryweather, a former pupil of Whalley Range High School for Girls, has moved away from Manchester, leaving friends and family behind in order to start a new life a 'considerable distance away', the court heard.
The judge said that although Merryweather withdrew her claim that she was under duress to take the gun, he was satisfied she was 'under some pressure to look after the weapon by Geldard, a man with some unsavoury connections'.
He said: "I don't consider a custodial sentence is appropriate in this exceptional case and I've every confidence this experience will teach Merryweather the importance of avoiding people such as Geldard and leading a wholesome life in the future."
Judge Steiger imposed a two-year supervision order and a six-month curfew between the hours of 9pm and 6am on Merryweather. Geldard, believed to be a member of the Longsight Crew, was jailed for five years for possessing a prohibited firearm. No separate penalty was imposed for possessing ammunition.
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Girl who hid gun for gangster walks free
November 04, 2009
Chanelle Merryweather, 17, faced a minimum of three years in jail for concealing the Browning pistol containing two bullets.
Chanelle Merryweather, 17, faced a minimum of three years in jail for concealing the Browning pistol containing two bullets.
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Guten Tag, Manchester (04/11/2009 at 15:33)
Andanotherthing, Mcr (04/11/2009 at 15:38)
fergiza, rse (04/11/2009 at 15:51)
bat 21 (04/11/2009 at 15:54)
MPs gravy train, UK (04/11/2009 at 15:55)
MPs gravy train, UK (04/11/2009 at 16:00)
Colin the pie, WIGAN (04/11/2009 at 16:09)
Redberry, Manchester (04/11/2009 at 16:27)
You can get away with most criminal offences in the UK that is why it is such an attractive place for criminals to thrive. If you commit a crime make sure it is a serious one and you will get away with it or get a light sentence. If you commit a trivial crime you will be fined or gaoled.
Local lad, outsidethebox (04/11/2009 at 16:45)
Black Flag (04/11/2009 at 16:57)
I'm sure there are a few rape victims who would beg to differ.
bat 21 (04/11/2009 at 17:19)
Rick Jenks, Bury (04/11/2009 at 17:19)
Black Flag (04/11/2009 at 17:35)
Unlike you, I'm not the kind of person who puts the well-being of the aggressor above the well-being of the victim.
bat 21 (04/11/2009 at 17:54)
Supreme Being, Manchester. (04/11/2009 at 17:59)
I'll bet the idea of duress was a solicitor's!
It seems the British public have lost the concept of telling the truth.
Panzer 391, Salford (04/11/2009 at 18:16)
moaning bugger, reddish (04/11/2009 at 18:57)
citycentre, manchester (04/11/2009 at 19:03)
In fact the article states that the gangster in question got a five year sentence, so fine for us, less so for him. Since he recieved this, in part, due to the testimony of this woman and if the court determined that she does intend to avoid that kind of life style in future the sentence may be justified.
Persepolis Young (04/11/2009 at 19:24)
salfordrat (04/11/2009 at 19:40)
Redberry, Manchester
Agreed. And more so if you are a righ white guy who steals millions from either the tax paying public or your own employer. Or even if yu are a rich white solicitor who beats the crap out of his wife and mother in law. I strangely dont remember reading much on here about that. In fact, the businessman a few months ago who embezzled shed loads of cash from his firm to pay for strippers received a ot of sympathy on this board if I remember correctly. Everybody here is right. This country is in a mixed up state.
uncle bulgaria, Wimbledon Common (04/11/2009 at 20:24)
Mamaduke, Broad Street (04/11/2009 at 20:35)
I bet your mum thinks that you are beautiful also.
Mrs Jammy, Sitting on the settee (04/11/2009 at 21:10)
Gerry Gow's jockstrap (04/11/2009 at 22:30)
David , DENTON MANCHESTER (04/11/2009 at 22:47)
- Free the police and courts from the politically correct straitjacket which is stopping them from doing their jobs properly;
- End the liberal fixation with the “rights” of criminals and replace it with concern for the rights of victims – and the right of innocent people not to become victims;
- Re-introduce corporal punishment for petty criminals and vandals;
- Restore capital punishment for paedophiles, terrorists and murderers as an option for judges in cases where their guilt is proven beyond dispute (such as with DNA or other compelling evidence).
At the same time, the BNP recognises that decades of social welfare dependence – encouraged by disastrous Labour and Tory policies – which is the primary cause of social delinquency, must be brought to an end.