A criminal gang responsible for the production and distribution of “murder kits” in the United Kingdom has received sentences for more than 60 years.
62-year-old Gary Hardy was identified as a seller of these deadly packages that were manufactured in the garden of his co-corporate, 64-year-old Ronald Knowles.
Knowles was central to the operation, acquiring empty pistols and ammunition, which then turned into viable firearms.
Each “set” was thoroughly prepared, containing a gun, silencer, magazine and ammunition, all carefully wrapped in a latex glove.
Police have confirmed that the converted firearms associated with the band have been restored from eight different places across the country.
Investigators believe that at least 33 firearms are manufactured in the illegal Knowles factory, which is thought to be one of the largest of its kind in East Midlands.
The network scope has expanded to serious criminals, with 65-year-old accomplice Stephen Houston being responsible for the supply of weapons.
Among those who received the illegal firearm was the 23-year-old drug dealer Jason Hill, who was convicted of murder last year.
Hardy from Birches, Ravenshead, Notongemshire, received a 23-year sentence, while Knowles, from Milton Avenue, Alfreton, Derbishir, received a 13-year and six-month sentence, and Houston, from Breach Oak Lane, Corley, received 25 years.
Gary Hardy was identified as a seller of these deadly packages (Police at Nottingmshire)
Condeming Hardy, Knowles and Houston, who were sitting side by side at the port of Notingm Crown Court on Friday, Judge Mark Watson said: “You were in business together. You have brought your own set of skills and contacts to the enterprise.
“Each of you contributed in different but important ways. It was a large and extremely complex enterprise that included a large number of weapons.”
The judge said the operation began at least in November 2022 and told the court that he was sure that it was intended to last longer.
The judge condemned Hill, by Derby Road, Risley, Derbishir, to serve for four years in series for his life sentence for murder and said: “You are in a different and unique position, since you were not part of the conspiracy I deal with – you are a client of it.
“These rifles are designed to kill. There is no evidence that these weapons were written by you.”
Hardy, Knowles and Houston were accused of conspiracy to sell firearms, plotting to possess a firearm with the intention of endangering life and conspiracy to convert firearms.
The Murder Kits included a gun and a noise gulf (Police at Nottingmshire)
Hill was accused of possessing a firearm with the intention of endangering life.
Knowles and Hill have confessed to their crimes before Houston and Hardy were found guilty in the process.
In August 2023, police stopped a vehicle in Golow Lane in Memam, Leicestershire and found a white box containing four firearms with a Knowles DNA on some of them.
Police at Nottingmshire said that when employees arrived at his property, they found him to light evidence in his garden.
Other weapons were also seized inside the address, including crossbows, knives, wasps, machetes, swords, gas weapons, air weapons and ammunition, the power said.
Abigail Joyce, pursuing, said weapons kits were allocated on “significant scale” and added: “Significant financial profit is expected.”
Investigators believe that at least 33 firearms were manufactured at the Ronald Knowles illegal factory, which is thought to be one of the largest of its kind in East Midlands. (Police at Nottinghamshire/PA)
Mrs. Joyce told a court attended by friends and family of the defendants: “The prosecutor’s office claims that the three played leading roles in a long-standing conspiracy.
“The sale of murder kits shows that they are designed to be used for one purpose, ie the application of serious and possibly fatal injuries.”
Emma Gudol CS, defending Hardy, said his chronic health problems would make it difficult for prison and added that the sentence of detention would affect his wife.
A protected lawyer for Knowles, Balraj Bhatia KC, said the defendant was not a “instigator” and was described by many as “a caring, useful, kind person to whom many of the difficulties can turn.”
In a letter read by G -n Bhati, Knowles wrote: “I made my bed, now I have to lie in it. I am sorry for what I went up. If I can enter through my sentence, I promise you will not hear more from me.”
Gordon Cole KC, defending Houston, said his client had “real, physical difficulties” and showed a “clear expression of remorse.”
In a statement after the sentence, Detective Inspector Mark Adas of the Nottingham police said: “These are ruthless persons who have complete disregard for human life.
“They were creating, packing and spreading a firearm, which would have a detrimental consequences if used publicly.
“Each pistol was threaded to fit a silencer, which allowed the gun to be used discreetly in nearby rooms, which means that all potential goals will be fortunate enough to escape with their lives.
The 65-year-old accomplice Stephen Houston was responsible for the supply of weapons (Police at Nottingmshire/PA)
“The range of ammunition was converted in such a way that they expand when they impact, causing maximum damage to each target.
“Our detective team has already closed one of the largest firearms factories in East Midlands and took a large amount of firearms from the streets.
“The full impact of this investigation will never be seen – this is because we are not able to count the number of life we may have saved.
“If this operation continues to be discovered, it is a strong likelihood that these weapons will be used and people would be killed or seriously injured.
“To put this in context – given that each murder kit includes 10 rounds converted ammunition, the seizure of more than 800 blank shots and nearly 800 lead pellets shows that the group has the potential to deliver up to 80 additional firearms.
“So far, we have identified eight places across the country where these specific converted firearms or ammunition have been seized.
“The majority were in West Midlands. Therefore, it was a well -established and distant criminal enterprise.
Jason Hill (Police at Nottinghamshire/Pa)
“These criminals did not show remorse. They did not provide a comment in an interview and did not take care of the damage they were willing to do to others.
“Their motives were probably financial, providing weapons to criminals, who in turn used them to protect their drug surgery.
“Now they have paid the full price for their actions by receiving long sentences in prison.
“Hardy is likely to spend the rest of his life behind bars, which sends a clear message to those wishing to join this level of crime.”