Man jailed for operating gun factory in his sitting room (third copy)

A man has been sentenced for running a gun-conversion factory from his living room at Croydon Crown Court.

Investigations showed Gary Waller ran a cottage industry, converting imitation and blank-firing handguns into lethal weapons using his cupboard as the conversion factory.

DC Carruth, the case officer, said: “Hopefully these lengthy prison terms given to the six individuals today will act as a deterrent to others who choose to be involved in the conversion use and supply of firearms throughout London and the Home Counties.

“The ruling by Lord Chief Justice Dyson will greatly assist not only Trident but other teams throughout the country to charge and successfully convict dangerous criminals in possession of firearms and ammunition."

Trident, part of the Metropolitan Police Service's anti-shooting command, arrested and charged a six-man gang.

The 30-year-old gun supplier, of 41 Seymour Villas, South Norwood, is part of the six strong gang who made up a network of runners, middlemen, purchasers and end-users.

Marvin Welch, 29, of SE20 stores partly finished firearms in his flat; Wesley Huggins, 25, of SW8 and Adrian McNeish, 27, of SE22 acted as middlemen; Darren Yaw Opoku, 19, of Surrey acted as a courier; and Cadele Clarke, 25, of SW16 bought weapons from Waller.

The six were sentenced to a total of 43 years of a string of firearms offences.

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