A South Yorkshire man has been jailed for 5 years for possession of illegal firearms. 

Robbie Fardell, 39, of Park Road, in Rotherham was arrested last year for various firearms and ammunition offences after an investigation by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit.  

In June and July last year, UK Border Force officers intercepted two packages addressed to the Fardell, both containing a realistic imitation firearm.  

As a result, the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU) launched an investigation and tested both firearms which were seized. During the testing of the firearms, it was established that by using an elastic band, one of the firearms was able to fire conventional ammunition.  

On 25 July last year, a warrant was executed by YHROCU officers supported by South Yorkshire Police at Fardell’s home address in Mexborough and a variety of firearms, ammunition, weapons and chemicals were seized. South Yorkshire Fire Service and the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit (EOD) also supported to ensure the safety of the property and local community.  

He was subsequently charged with importation of a prohibited weapon with intent to evade a prohibition under Section 50 of the Customs and Excise Act 1979 and the importation of a realising imitation firearm under Section 36 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act.  

He was remanded into custody until his trial.  

Further examination of the weapons seized by Firearms Specialists and also reviews of devices resulted in identifying blank ammunition which had been modified by Fardell, 2 tasers and a CO2 powered 50. Calibre revolver.  

Also found in his property were documents on his phone on how to construct homemade firearms.  

He was subsequently charged with further offences - 3 counts of possession of prohibited weapon contrary to Section 5 of the Firearms Act and 1 count of possession of ammunition.  

Prior to his trial, Fardell pleaded guilty to 2 counts of possession of a prohibited weapons (in relation to the tasers) and possession of ammunition.  

Today (31 May) Fardell was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to 5 years for possession of CO2 revolver, 2 months to be served concurrently for the offences relating to the tasers and 1 month for the importation offence.  

During sentencing, the Recorder of Sheffield described Fardell as a person with “an unhealthy interest in firearms”. 

Detective Chief Inspector Al Burns of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: “We welcome the result at court today seeing Fardell sent to prison for serious firearms offences thanks to the thorough investigation by officers at YHROCU.  

“As a result of this investigation, a variety of dangerous weapons and firearms have been taken out of circulation which could have caused significant harm to our communities.”