Reward offered for "gun factory" firearms

6:05pm Wednesday 27th August 2008

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A £10,000 reward is being offered by police for information about the unrecovered Mac-10 weapons from a "firearms conversion factory."

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "The reward is for any information leading to the recovery of 40 MAC 10's and/or the arrest of those involved in offences where these weapons have been used.

"These Mac-10's were part of a batch of 90, sold by a company called Sabre Defence to Grant Wilkinson aka 'Gary Wilson'."

Wilkinson, 34, formerly of High Wycombe, was today found guilty at Reading Crown Court for his role in converting these Mac-10's from 'blank firing' to 'live firing' weapons and then selling them on.

He was able to buy the imitation weapons by claiming he was working on a James Bond film.

Police found the weapons and ammunition in two sheds at a house known as The Briars, in Three Mile Cross, near Reading.

Of the 90 Mac-10's sold, 50 have been recovered so far. Police say the weapons are "scientifically identifiable", due to the conversion process used by Wilkinson.

Detective Chief Superintendent Turner, who led the Thames Valley Police investigation, 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 CPS."

Gary Lewis, 38, of Blind Lane, Bourne End, was found not guilty of all charges.

Anyone with information about the guns should contact the Met Police on 020 8733 4704 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.