Dylan Cain Aspinall caught with four guns during search of car at Munno Para West

A face-tattooed drug dealer caught posing with a gun was told by a judge he'll be in and out of jail until he finally grows tired of his life of drugs and crime.

A former drug dealer with a distinctive face tattoo of an ex-lover had a judge reject his explanation that he was simply ordered to destroy multiple guns over a debt.

Dylan Cain Aspinall, 35, captured the public’s attention after SAPOL released his mugshot and  has now been jailed for serious firearms offending.

Based on Aspinall’s Facebook profile, it is believed he was in a relationship with ‘Tamika’ – the name tattooed above his left eyebrow – in 2017 but now has a new partner.

Northern District patrols observed a black Holden Commodore sedan travelling through the backstreets of Munno Para West on May 28, 2021.

Checks revealed the car was bearing stolen number plates.

Dylan Aspinall. Photo: SA police

Police followed the Commodore to Greenlea Court where it abruptly stopped and Aspinall fled on foot.

Patrols chased Aspinall and quickly arrested him nearby.

Upon searching the car police found a loaded .22 Ruger pistol located in the driver’s door pocket, a sawn-off over/under shotgun, a sawn-off .22 bolt action rifle, a 410 Boito shotgun and 21 rounds of .22 caliber bullets.

Four firearms were seized in a car at Munno Para West. Picture: SA Police

The Modbury North father-of-two pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing a firearm and one count of possessing ammunition.

The court heard police also found photos of Aspinall holding a handgun dated in September 2020.

Miranda van Heuven, for Aspinall, told the court during sentencing submissions there was no evidence her client intended to use the firearms.

“He was a regular user of methamphetamine and fantasy – he accrued a drug debt that he was unable to pay,” she said.

“He was given an opportunity to discharge a portion of the debt.”

Ms van Heuven said the car was delivered to Aspinall’s address the night before he was caught.

“He was directed to dispose of the vehicle, together with the firearms and ammunition contained inside it,” she said.

“Mr Aspinall’s explanation for the photograph is that he was attempting to assist the owner to sell that firearm by circulating a photo of it."

During sentencing on Monday, Judge Paul Muscat said he rejected the explanation Aspinall was disposing of the guns.

"Being in possession of the firearms that you had could only have been for criminal purposes," he said.

The court heard Aspinall had a lengthy criminal history, including drug dealing and multiple assaults, and was breaching a suspended sentence with the current offending. 

“The judge who sentenced you at that time, described you as a public nuisance,” Judge Muscat said.

Aspinall was sentenced to five years jail, with a non-parole period of three years and six months.

"It is up to you to do something about addressing your core problems and not simply put them in the too hard basket and turn to drugs to help you cope," Judge Muscat said.  

"You have done that already and look where you are today - back in prison.

"Perhaps, as with so many offenders, over time you will grow tired of a life of drugs and crime."

The sentence was backdated to May 28, 2021.