Sheffield weapon conversion gang jailed for over 150 years combined

Twelve men have been sentenced to a total of over 150 years in prison for their roles in the illegal conversion of blank firing weapons into real guns in South Yorkshire.

It comes after a series of raids in 2023 across Sheffield uncovered one of the UK's largest operations for converting blank firing weapons, located in the Darnall, Castlebeck, Richmond, and Beighton areas.

Between March and July 2023, officers seized 108 blank firing weapons in various stages of conversion and a significant amount of converted ammunition.

The investigation also saw officers comb CCTV and stop vehicles.

Those sentenced for conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons and ammunition include:

Zakaria West, 30, of Tithe Barn Way, Sheffield: 16 years

Arron Ward, 31, of Smelter Wood Crescent, Sheffield: 16 years

Andrew Loton, 36, of Bramshill Close, Sheffield: 12 years and 10 months

Danny Milner, 41, of Gresley Walk, Sheffield: 18 years

Antonio Lewis, 28, of Roundhay Gardens, Leeds: 17 years

Paul Dungworth, 37, of Ridgeway Crescent, Sheffield: 11 years and six months

Ashley Gregory, 36, of Danewood Avenue, Sheffield: 11 years and eight months

Joshua Drury, of Highwoods Road, Doncaster: 11 years

Ashley Stevenson, 22, of Spa Well Crescent, Rotherham: 9 years

Delroy Riley, 46, of Richmond Hall Avenue, Sheffield: 13 years

Shera Virk, 24, of Golf Lane, Leamington Spa, and Joseph Steele, 34, of Brewery Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, were previously sentenced for possessing prohibited weapons and ammunition—Virk received eight years and Steele nine years.

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Iain Martin said: “There is no place for the sort of mindless violence gun crime causes in our communities. We will not tolerate gun crime in South Yorkshire."

"The seizure of these weapons has likely prevented them from falling into the hands of violent criminals, protecting innocent members of the public from potential harm.”

Another person charged in relation to the operation awaits trial later this year.

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