Drug dealer reached for firearm

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Simeon Moffatt was told he faces a long prison term

A Nottingham drug dealer was reaching for a loaded handgun when overpowered by the police, a court has heard.

Simeon Moffatt, 21, was arrested in a raid at his former home in Templars Court, Radford, in February.

At Nottingham Crown Court he admitted two counts of possessing firearms and drugs offences including supplying heroin and crack cocaine.

He will be sentenced next month but the judge said the presence of a gun meant he was facing a "very long" jail term.

The police raided Moffatt's flat during Operation Glacier, which was aimed at disrupting drug dealing.

Second gun

He had been targeted after making drug deals with an undercover officer.

Stuart Rafferty, prosecuting, said Moffatt attempted to run from his house after the raid, with a bag in his hand.

"He was overpowered," said Mr Rafferty. "He seemed to be getting something from the bag. In the bag was a loaded gun."

The court was told the weapon was a tear gas pistol that had been modified to fire bullets and take a silencer.

An identical gun was found in a search of his girlfriend's house.

Nearly £6,400 in cash was also found at Moffatt's flat.

Sentencing guidelines

The prosecution rejected arguments he was on the periphery of drugs and was only keeping firearms and ammunition for someone else.

Judge Dudley Bennett described Moffatt as a drug dealer of "at least mid-range if not higher."

He added Moffatt was facing a "very long sentence no matter what."

The case was adjourned so that the judge, prosecution and defence, which did not begin mitigation, could look at new guidelines on the sentencing of prisoners who were thought to represent a danger to the public.

Moffatt was remanded in custody.