Six in court 'converted blanks into firearms'

The firearms manufacturing trial of six defendants is taking place at Sheffield Crown Court

Six people have appeared in court in connection with a haul of suspected firearms and ammunition that was discovered in a Sheffield kitchen.

South Yorkshire Police seized weapons, tools and other materials during a raid at a property on Stradbroke Crescent in July 2023.

It followed an investigation by the force into the illegal conversion of blank weapons into firearms, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

The six defendants now on trial are charged with conspiracy to manufacture, sell or transfer ammunition.

The six also face counts of conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons, the court was told.

The defendants who appeared earlier were:-

• Ashley Stevenson, 22, of Spa Well Crescent in Rotherham

• Sarah Hughes, 47, of Hatfield Centre in Sheffield

• Joshua Drury, 34, of Highwoods Road in Doncaster

• Karl Keegan-Moore, 34, of Reafbeck Terrace in Barnsley

• Emma Jelly, 35, of Challoner Way in Sheffield

• Kelly Swearing, 41, of Rockingham Shortbrook Drive in Sheffield

Prosecuting, George Hazel-Owram said the conspirators had been involved in buying and converting blank firing weapons in Sheffield.

Mr Hazel-Owram said the police raid on 8 July 2023 was "significant for the conspirators" with 47 weapons seized from a flat at 37 Stradbroke Road being used as a "conversion workshop".

Police found several bags, including a black holdall and a Lidl bag for life, in kitchen cupboards full of items which "could be converted into viable firearms", Mr Hazel-Owram said.

But despite the disruption caused by the police raid and arrests, "conspiracies were rebuilt" with new conspirators recruited, and more blanks and tools bought for converting firearms.

He said a new conversion workshop was also set up in a Sheffield industrial unit.

The trial continues.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North