Billingham teenager traced to sawn-off shotgun by his DNA

The weapon was found in the rear garden of a property on Lansdown Way in Billingham following a 999 call to police on December 3 last year.

Teesside Crown Court heard the shortened shotgun was traced to Leighton Watson through his DNA and fingerprints.

Tabitha Buck, prosecuting, said the shotgun was a viable weapon and ballistic tests were carried out by firearms specialists.

She said: “Forensic testing of the bin bag came back positive with the DNA and fingerprints from this defendant on six different areas of the wrapping.”

The court heard how Watson was also arrested on July 11 last year following a high-speed chase through Billingham town centre where he reached speeds in excess of 60mph in 30mph zones.

Leighton Watson (Image: Cleveland Police)

Miss Buck said police pursued the defendant when they spotted him driving erratically.

“During the pursuit, the Honda was being driven dangerously,” she said. “The vehicle was weaving in and out of traffic and was travelling nearly double the speed limit.”

The court heard how Watson drove through a hedge and across a field in a desperate attempt to avoid arrest before he crashed into a bollard and fled the scene.

Miss Buck said he was found hiding in a garden and 11 Pregabalin tablets were recovered from him following his arrest.

Watson, of Sidlaw Road, Billingham, pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon, dangerous driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance and possession of a Class C drug.

Paul Abrahams, mitigating, said his client had pleaded guilty to the charges and urged the judge to take into account the defendant’s age at the time of the offences.

Judge Nathan Adams sentenced the teenager to a total of five years in a young offenders’ institute and disqualified him from driving for five years.

He said: “A five-year prison sentence is an incredibly long time to serve at the age of 19 and you have a lot of growing up between now and your early 20s.”