IPSWICH: A drug addict who let two burglars keep a shotgun in his Ipswich flat is today beginning a one-year prison term.

James Marks, 26, kept the 12-bore shotgun rolled up in a piece of carpet in the attic of his Beatty Road home after two men who had allegedly stolen it offered him bags of heroin to stash the weapon.

Marks appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday having already pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and handling stolen goods.

The court heard that Marks had been contacted by two men following a burglary at a premises near Stowmarket on October 25.

Prosecutor Raj Joshi said: “These men phoned the defendant and asked him to look after the shotgun.

“He said he was intimidated by the men who gave him two bags of heroin in exchange for the use of his flat.

“The defendant observed the men place the shotgun rolled up in carpet in his attic and was told that he would receive a phone call once the two men had gone.”

Roger Thompson, mitigating, said: “He realises he was stupid to allow his flat to be used for keeping stolen goods.”

Recorder Anthony Abell told Marks: “This is a very serious matter. This was a genuine firearm in working order.

“I give you credit for your early guilty pleas, but matters relating to firearms are so serious that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.”