Nottingham Teenager Jailed for Three Years for Drugs and Firearm Offences

Alanzo Walker, a 20-year-old Nottingham teenager, has been sentenced to three years in prison for his involvement in drugs and firearm-related crimes. Walker, who had no previous convictions or cautions, was caught with thousands of pounds worth of cocaine and cannabis, as well as an imitation firearm, after a series of police operations. His barrister described Walker as having "lost his way in a spectacular way" after a series of personal tragedies, leading him to engage in criminal activity with a peer group that offered him cash for tasks.

Key Takeaways:

• Walker was arrested in March 2023 for possession of an imitation firearm, which he claimed he had been paid £50 to pick up on Snapchat.
• The firearm was a blank-firing pistol that could readily be converted to fire real bullets.
• Walker was on bail for the firearm offences when he was caught again 18 months later with thousands of pounds worth of cocaine and cannabis.
• He was found with 2.25kg of cannabis, 3.88g of cocaine, and £1,725 in cash in a car parked on his drive, as well as 1.16kg of cannabis and other substances at his partner's address.
• Walker pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm, possession of ammunition, possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs, and possession of criminal property.
• His barrister attributed Walker's actions to a "spectacular" loss of direction after personal tragedies, but Walker was found to be reckless and under the direction of others.

Statistics:

• Walker was 18 years old when he first committed the firearm offences.
• The imitation firearm was found in a taxi within a minute of being picked up from a gun store.
• Walker was arrested and bailed twice in 18 months, first for firearm-related crimes in March 2023, and then again for further drug-related offences 18 months later.
• The total value of the cannabis found at Walker's addresses was between £10,000 and £18,000, and the cocaine was worth around £5,000.

Sources:

• "Nottingham Crown Court - March 14, 2023"
• Dawn Pritchard, prosecuting at Nottingham Crown Court
• Steve Cobley, Walker's barrister