John Charlton was forensically linked to a Glock pistol which was used in a fatal shooting
A man came up with an “incredible” excuse after his DNA was found on a murder weapon. John Charlton was forensically linked to a Glock pistol which was used in a fatal shooting and was also fired at a house on another occasion.
But, following the discovery, cooked up a bizarre explanation that he had handled the weapon believing it was merely a toy gun, having stumbled across it while delivering firewood to a house. He told a judge “I’m sorry about that” as he was locked up this afternoon.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that the firearm was seized alongside two revolvers, bullets, cannabis and cash when police raided the home of Gordon Rhodes on Abbeystead Avenue in Netherton in February last year. The then 57-year-old was imprisoned for nine years and nine months in August 2023 for his role in storing the guns.
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Martyn Walsh, prosecuting, described how the pistol in question was used in a murder in 2020, as well as to fire shots at a house during another incident in 2022. Charlton’s DNA was subsequently found “all over” the Glock, including on internal parts.
The 42-year-old, of Marlborough Avenue in Netherton, gave evidence to the court during a trial of issue on Friday, stating that he had previously held a “casual” job with Fazakerley-based Advance Skip Hire at the time he had handled the item. He claimed that he would salvage quantities of wood which had been deposited in the firm’s skips before selling them on as firewood for £5 a bag.
Charlton – who has previous convictions for robbery, burglary, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and cultivating cannabis – said that he would also supply Rhodes with wood for the log burner in his kitchen for free after meeting him in a park while walking his dog. He told the court: “It was just something I did. I took it in my own hands to do. I just seen it as a waste.
“He [Rhodes] seen me passing someone else firewood. He goes to Aldi to buy wooden blocks for the fire. Knowing he was disabled, I thought I could help him out.”
Charlton described one occasion where he visited his co-defendant’s home, saying: “I knocked with two bags of firewood. He was eating in his living room. He told me to go through to the kitchen. I put the bags of firewood down by his wood burning stove he has there in the kitchen.
“I seen an Airsoft pistol gun box on the worktop. I opened the box and took the pistol out. It’s just what you do as a kid. It’s what I’ve always done. It’s just a force of habit. I was looking where to put the BBs to have a little go of it.
“I was just going to fire it at the floor. It’s very minor. Kids fire them at each other. It’s not as powerful as a paint gun, like a spud gun type of power.”
Charlton recounted that Rhodes then entered the kitchen after “three to four minutes”, saying: “He shouted at me and said ‘put that down’, that it’s a real one. I threw it towards the worktop. The clip fell out. The gun fell to the floor. I threw the pieces onto the side. I didn’t realise it was a real gun.
“I spun it round on my finger and everything, playing with it. I had my hands all over it. I was trying to pull it, push it and everything. I had my fingers all over the inside, pulling it. I handled it every way.
“You play with guns, toy spud guns. I play with my girlfriend’s little kids with them. It’s just something you do. It was just stupid of me at that time.
“I said ‘why’ve you got stuff like that lying around your house?’. He didn’t comment. I immediately left his property. I never even told my mum or my girlfriend. I didn’t speak about it to anybody.”
However, Judge David Potter rejected his account as “implausible and incredible”. Frank Dillon, defending, said: “There is nothing to suggest that this is habitual behaviour. He is understanding of the court’s obligations in this case.”
Charlton admitted possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of ammunition without a certificate. He was jailed for five years and seven months.
Judge Potter added in his sentencing remarks: “You have pleaded guilty to very serious offences. When the premises of Mr Rhodes were searched by the police, they found a number of viable firearms and ammunition.
“One in particular, a Glock, was clearly being stored by organised criminals. It had already been used twice in serious criminality. No doubt its continued possession was for future use in criminal activity.
“Your DNA was found all over it. I cannot say when, how long or in which circumstances you possessed the firearm and ammunition, but I am sure that it was more than transitory and that you knew what it was.”
As he was led to the cells, Charlton replied: “Thank you. I’m sorry. I’m sorry about that. Thank you Mr Dillon.”
