TWO men have been sentenced to a total of 11-and-a-half years for drug dealing and firearms offences in the Banbury area.

Alex Meadows (top right), 19, of Merton Street, Banbury, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court to eight years imprisonment for possessing loaded firearms and possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

Darrell Akins (centre right),22, of Kimberly Villas, Banbury, was sentenced with him to three-and-a-half years for possession of cocaine with intent to supply. He was found not guilty of possessing loaded firearms.

They were arrested following a number of police warrants against drug dealing, including one at Kimberly Villas.

From a BMW outside, which was owned by Akins, officers seized 10g of cocaine as well as two loaded home-made firearms.

Det Sgt Gavin Collier, of Banbury police, said: "These sentences send a strong message to those who want to deal drugs and who wish to arm themselves.

"The type of weapons found in the car and proved to belong to Meadows are called pipe guns', where a length of copper pipe is converted into a rudimentary firearm and loaded with, in this case, a .22 rimfire round. It's discharged by pulling the firing pin back using a spring mechanism.

"Pipe guns became infamous in Northern Ireland where they were used close-range to kill or maim and that is their only purpose. We are pleased we have been able to remove these dangerous items from the streets.

"We don't believe Meadows made these firearms himself, so if anyone has any information on where they may have come from we urge them to get in touch with either ourselves or Crimestoppers."

Det Sgt Collier can be contacted via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you do not want to talk to police and do not want to leave your name, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.