According to testimony in court, a woman sold a gun to a violent criminal in an Aldi parking lot to pay for her extravagant lifestyle.
Before selling the pistol to a man who had been convicted of drug dealing, kidnapping, and causing severe bodily injury, Fiona Crooks and her boyfriend Vincent Horsfall had lawfully purchased it.
They allegedly sold the gun to pay for “cosmetic dentistry work,” and Crooks pushed Horsall to do so so “they may enjoy the trappings of a luxurious lifestyle,” according to testimony given at Liverpool Crown Court.
When police searched the Liverpool home where Crook resided with her daughter and Horsfall in September 2021, they discovered a second gun.
Cops discovered an advertisement, which was how they were discovered.
The Liverpool Echo says that in April 2021, a website called Gunstar would have a 41 calibre Colt Thunderer revolver weapon for sale for £2,100.
Horsall and Crooks later met in the Lidl parking lot, where Horsall turned over the firearm.
However, later that evening when he was stopped by armed police, they discovered the firearm and $25,000 in cash in the glove box.
Horsfall’s DNA was found on the gun by the police.
Later that year, Crooks and Horsall travelled to Tenerife; while they were away, police installed a recording device in their car.
The two were overheard discussing their dealings with the individual.
Simon Gledhill, defending Horsall told the court: “While there were fantasies about what they might do if they had excess money, the reality is quite different – he knows he should never have gone down this route, but he set off down this route from need rather than greed.
“He has tried to use his time in prison productively as he can. He has an eye to his release and obtaining legitimate employment so as to not find any reason to appear before these courts in future.
“In short, he has learned from this terrible experience. He is very sorry for having become involved in this situation and essentially involving Ms Crooks in this situation, and for the harm his actions potentially could have caused.”
Paul Becker, appearing on Crook’s behalf said: “There is clearly a significant difference in their roles.
“The defendant is a comparatively young lady of previous good character. She was in a bad place with her mental health at the time and obviously made a serious error of judgement.
“She has expressed sincere regret and remorse for her very serious offending. She should be given a chance – she is a young lady who has made a serious error of judgement, but everyone is entitled to a second chance.”
Horsfall was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of fraud, possession of a handgun, and selling a firearm.
After pleading guilty to knowingly inciting the commission of an offence, Crooks received two years in the interim.
Judge Garrett Byrne’s sentence read: “Firearms can be used to kill and maim. Recently, there have been a number of shootings in this city that have killed young people and even children.
“The firearm was sold not only to a man with a criminal record, but a man with a leading role in an organised crime group and dealing with the trafficking of class A drugs. You must have known full well there was a high probability that gun you supplied him with would have been used for criminal purposes.
To Crooks, he added: “You did this out of greed, for cash to be able to afford cosmetic dental work among other things. You encouraged him whole heartedly in all his criminality.”
