Life for gun factory man

12:43pm Thursday 28th August 2008

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A MAN who converted replica machine guns into the real thing, which were later used in 51 shootings including eight murders, has been jailed for life.

Grant Wilkinson, 34, formerly of High Wycombe, was found guilty of nine conspiracy and gun possession charges yesterday.

His co-defendent Gary Lewis, 38, from, Blind Lane, Bourne End was cleared of the same charges.

In sentencing judge Zoe Smith today told Reading Crown Court: "The scale of this criminal enterprise is unprecedented in this country.

"The roll-call of death and serious injury is horrific."

The court heard Wilkinson had bought 90 replica MAC-10 sub machine guns, telling his supplier he needed them for the latest James Bond film.

He then set up an illegal gun factory in two sheds in the grounds of a house in Basingstoke Road, Three Mile Cross, the court heard.

Police discovered the factory last July after a curious neighbour stumbled across it.

Wilkinson also led police to a stash of weapons and ammunition buried in a field off Juniper Lane in Wooburn Green, following his arrest.

The guns have since been linked to eight fatal shootings, including the murder of 15-year-old Michael Dosunmu who was shot in his bed last February in Peckham, east London, and 51 firearms offences.

Judge Smith later noted the fact that some 30 - 40 of the converted Mac-10s still remain unaccounted for.

She said: "Regrettably but doubtlessly the roll-call of death and serious injury will continue."

Judge Smith handed Wilkinson a life sentence and told him he must serve a minimum of eleven years, before he would be eligible for parole.

She told Wilkinson she considered he posed a "serious risk to the public". The court also heard Wilkinson had previously been convicted of grievous bodily harm and the supply class A and B drugs.

Judge Smith added: "This court knows from its own experience that gun crime has become endemic."