Today (Friday 14 February), five members of a criminal gang who converted blank firing pistols into lethal guns have been jailed for a total of 68 years at Minshull Crown Court.

In June 2020, the North West Organised Crime Unit launched launched an investigation into six men and a woman involved in the conversion of blank firing pistols. Over 22 occasions, 42 blank firing pistols were purchased from UK retailers to be converted into deadly weapons.

The investigation followed Gavin Donald and his associate, who visited a shop in Bury between June and July 2020, purchasing 16 blank firing pistols and blank round ammunition. They then visited a shop in Greater Manchester between 22 August 2020 and 31 August 2020 where they purchased an additional six blank firing pistols and blank round ammunition. On one occasion, they visited the shop in a stolen Hyundai.

Officers discovered that Donald and his associate were not the only ones buying blank firing pistols. Courtney Edwards was seen on CCTV visiting the same store in Greater Manchester, purchasing four pistols and blank firing ammunition. On 14 August 2020, Edwards attended the store with another associate, Anthony Baker.

Ellis Simmons visited the same store in Bury between 24 August and 11 September, purchasing four blank firing pistols. He also visited a store in Huddersfield on 29 September and 6 October. He purchased four pistols using a fake driving license as identification. Simmons was also seen visiting the stores with another associate, Daniel Hughes, who was captured on CCTV purchasing three pistols on his own.

On 30 April 2020, a connection was established when Donald and Simmons arrived at Hughes’ home address with another associate. The associate exited the address with a rucksack and left in a taxi. Police officers stopped the taxi and seized the rucksack, which contained two converted blank firing pistols and 20 rounds of converted blank firing ammunition. The pistols had been spray-painted black to hide their appearance. The associate was arrested on suspicion of supplying firearms and ammunition.

Between 5 May and 21 July 2021, officers from the NWROCU, supported by Greater Manchester Police, executed warrants to arrest the final individuals involved, charging them with conspiracy to convert and supply firearms.

Hughes was arrested after being stopped in his Audi. Inside the boot of the vehicle, officers uncovered two converted blank firing pistols spray painted black and 20 rounds of converted blank firing ammunition.

At the offenders’ addresses, officers seized a variety of evidence linked to converting firearms, including blank firing pistols, parts of pistols in the process of being converted and blank firing rounds.

The following were sentenced today for conspiracy to convert and supply firearms:

Gavin Donald, 41, of New Hampton Road West, Wolverhampton was jailed for 18 years.

Daniel Hughes, 35, of Gordale Avenue, Manchester was jailed for 15 years.

Ellis Simmons, 30, of Hulme Hall Road, Manchester was jailed for 15 years.

Courtney Edwards, 40, of Yeovil Street, Manchester was jailed for 12 years.

Anthony Baker, 37, of Ashton Old Road, Manchester was jailed for 8 years.

A 32 year old woman from Wolverhampton is due to be sentenced later this year. 

A seventh person was jailed for six years back in 2021 as part of the same conspiracy.

Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Russo from the NWROCU’s Operations Team said:

"This investigation highlights the relentless efforts of our officers to dismantle criminal networks and prevent dangerous weapons from reaching our streets. The individuals involved in this conspiracy showed a blatant disregard for public safety by converting blank firing pistols into lethal firearms. Their actions posed a significant threat to our communities.

“Across the whole operation, the group bought 42 pistols to convert to viable firearms. Thankfully, we have brought these offenders to justice and those guns will never reach our streets.

“We urge anyone with information about illegal firearms or suspicious activities to come forward and report it to the police. Together, we can make our communities safer."