Man convicted of converting machine guns
Grant Wilkinson has been found guilty of converting imitation firearms into live weapons
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Wednesday, 27, Aug 2008 05:03
A 34-year-old man has today been found guilty of converting imitation firearms into live weapons.
A jury at Reading crown court convicted Grant Wilkinson of seven offences of converting and supplying firearms and ammunition linked to eight known murders.
Wilkinson adapted replica submachine guns, Mac-10, in his shed near Three Mile Cross, near Reading.
His co-defendant, Garry Sylvester Lewis, aged 38, of Bourne End, was found not guilty.
Wilkinson was convicted of conspiracy to convert imitation firearms into firearms; conspiracy to sell or transfer firearms; conspiracy to sell or transfer ammunition; two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life; two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon and two counts of possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life.
His activity in the illegal arms business was widespread, with police declaring that 51 shootings in London, Birmingham and Manchester were linked to guns he converted and sold.
One of which was used in the death of police officer Sharon Beshenivsky during an armed robbery in Bradford in 2005.
Detective Chief Superintendent George Turner, who led the Thames Valley police investigation into Wilkinson's activities, said: "There can be no underestimating the impact of Wilkinson's actions – his conversion of imitation weapons allowed criminals to arm themselves with guns capable of killing and maiming people.
"His conviction is an excellent conclusion to what was a lengthy and very complex investigation led by Thames Valley police but involving the efforts of other police forces, the forensic science industry and the crown prosecution service."
The Metropolitan police have also offered a reward of up to £10,000 for any information leading to the recovery of 40 MAC 10s and/or the arrest of those involved in offences where these weapons have been used.
The submachine guns are part of a batch of 90 sold by a company called Sabre Defence to Wilkinson.